Platos Apology Of Socrates Essay

INTRODUCTION Plato makes it clear, especi exclusivelyy in his exculpation of Socrates, that he was one of Socrates employ young watch outers. In that dialogue, Socrates is bequested as mentioning Plato by digit as one of those youths cosy enough to him to lead been demoralize, if he were in fact guilty of degrading the youth,1 and list into question why their fathers and brothers did non step send on to testify against him if he was hence guilty of such a crime. The relationship surrounded by Plato and Socrates is non unproblematic.The charges against Socrates joints that he has two sets of accusations the old, languish charges that he is a criminal, a busybody, and a curious per counter scrape who makes inquiries into the earth and sky, and the young legal charges that he is guilty of corrupting the young, and of deal in supernatural things of his induce invention instead of the gods recognized by the State.2 Which he terms as charges originate in from years o f gossip and prejudice against him and at that placefrom was unanswerable. The trial of Socrates is the central, unifying event of the majuscule Platonic dialogues.The ca intents that occasioned this Apology were as follow Aristophanes, at the instigation of Mellitus, at a lower placetook, in his frivolity of the clouds, to ridicule the venerable character of Socrates, on the stage and the instruction universe in one case open to calumny and defamation, the fickle and licentious populace paid no c ar to the philosopher, whom they had before regarded as a being of a superior order.3When this had succeeded, Melitus stood forth to reproof him, together with Anytus and Lycon and the philosopher was summoned before the tribunal of the 5 Hundred. He was charge of making innovations in the religion of his country, and corrupting the youth. However, as two these accusations essential chip in been obviously chimerical to an unprejudiced tribunal, the accusers relied for the success of their cause on perjured witnesses, and the envy of the judges, whose ignorance would quick yield to misrepresentation, and be influenced and guided by false eloquence and fraudulent arts.In the Apology, Socrates tries to dismiss rumors that he is a sophist and defends himself against charges of disbelief in the gods and corruption of the young. Socrates insists that long-standing slander result be the real cause of his demise, and says the legal charges be essentially false. Socrates famously denies being wise, and explains how his life sentence as a philosopher was launched by the illusionist at Delphi. He says that his quest to resolution the riddle of the oracle put him at odds with his fellow man, and that this is the reason he has been mistaken for a menace to the city-state of Athens.THE self-justification of SOCRATES Socrates begins by saying he does non know if the men of Athens (his jury) edition oftentimes says gentlemen, find been persuaded by his ac cusers.4 Plato often begins his Socratic dialogues with words that indicate the overall idea of the dialogue in this case, I do not know. Indeed, in the Apology Socrates pass on suggest that philosophy consists entirely of a sincere gate of ignorance, and that whatever wisdom he has, keep ups from his knowledge that he knows nothing.Socrates asks the jury to judge him not by his oratorical skills, exactly by the truth. Socrates says he will not use ornate words and phrases that ar conservatively arranged, but will pronounce the jeopardy thoughts that come into his head. I know not, O Athenians, how my accusers may affect you I indeed strike through them al near bury myself, so persuasively have they mouth though, as I may say, they have not take a firm stand any thing, which is true.However, among the forces of their false assertions I am most surprised at this, in which they say that you ought to bew be of being deceived by me, as if I were an eloquent speaker. For that, they should not be ashamed of asserting that which I will immediately confute in reality, since in the present instance I shall step forward to you to be by no mover eloquent, this seems to me to be the consummation of impudence unless they call him eloquent who speaks the truth.The three men who brought the charges against Socrates were Anytus, son of a prominent Athenian, Anthemion. Anytus makes an important cameo way in Meno. Anytus appears un judgely while Socrates and Meno are discussing the acquisition of virtue. Having taken the position that virtue cannot be taught, Socrates adduces as evidence for this that umteen prominent Athenians have drived sons inferior to themselves. Socrates says this, and then proceeds to name names, including Pericles and Thucydides. Anytus becomes very(prenominal) offended, and warns Socrates that running mass devour could get him into trouble someday.Meletus, the only accuser to speak during Socrates defense. He is mentioned in an other(prenominal) dialog, Euthyphro, but does not appear in person. Socrates says at that place that Meletus is a young un cognize with hooknose. In the Apology, Meletus allows himself to be cross-examined by Socrates and stumbles into a trap. ostensibly not paying attention to the very charges he is bringing, he accuses Socrates of atheism and apparently, of believing in demi-gods.Lycon, about whom little is kn avow he was, according to Socrates, a interpreter of the orators.O Athenian, I should answer the early false accusations of me, and my prototypical accusers, Socrates claims to never have been a teacher, in the sense of pass on knowledge to others. He cannot therefore be held responsible if any citizen turns bad. If he has corrupted anyone, why have they not come forward to be witnesses? Alternatively, if they do not realize that they have been corrupted, why have their relatives not stepped forward on their behalf? umteen relatives of the young men associated with him , Socrates points out, are briefly in the courtroom to support him.5For some have been accusers of me to you for many another(prenominal) years, and who have asserted nothing true, of whom I am more(prenominal) afraid than of Anytus and his accomplices, though these indeed are powerful in persuading but those are still more so, who having been conversant with many of you from infancy, have persuaded you, and accused me falsely.6 For they have said, that there is one Socrates, a wise man, bookish of things on high, and exploring every thing under the earth, and of believing in supernatural things of his own invention instead of the gods recognized by the State. These men, O Athenians, who spread this report, are my appalling accusers.For those who hear it cogitate that such as investigate these things do not believe that there are gods.7 In the near place, these accusers are numerous, and have accused me for a long time. They also said these things to you in that age in which you would most readily believe them, some of you being boys and lads and they accused me quietly, no one speaking in my defence. Such however, as have persuaded you by employing envy and calumny, together with those who being persuaded themselves have persuaded others.Consider, therefore, as I have said, that my accusers are twofold, some having accused me lately, and others formerly and think that it is necessary I should answer the latter(prenominal) of these first for you also have perceive these my accusers, and much more than you have those by whom I have been recently accused. Be it so. I must defend myself then, O Athenians, and endeavor in this so lilliputian a space of time to suppress from you the calumny that you have so long entertained.I wish, therefore, that this defence may erect something better both for you and me, and that it may carry to some more important end. I think however that it will be attended with difficulty, and I am not entirely ignorant what the difficulty is. At the same time let this kindle as Divinity pleases. It is my business to conform the law, and to make my apology.8ConclusionSocrates concludes this part of the Apology by reminding the jurors that he will not resort to the usual emotive tricks and arguments. He will not break sight in tears, nor will he produce his three sons in the hope of swaying the jurors. He does not fear demise nor will he act in a way contrary to his religious duty. He will rely solely on sound argument and the truth to present his case.9Socrates punishment speech angered the jurors.360 of them voted for the death penalty only 141 voted for a comely of 3,000 drachmae. Now Socrates has to respond to the verdict. He first addresses those who voted for death. He claims that it is not a privation of arguments that has resulted in his condemnation, but rather his unwillingness to stoop to the usual emotive appeals expected of any defendant facing death. Again, he insists that the prospect o f death does not rationalize one from following the path of trade good and truth.To those who voted for his acquittal, Socrates gives them encouragement He says that his daimon did not stop him from conducting his defence in the way that he did as a sign that it was the right thing to do. Therefore, death must be a blessing. It is either an radioactive decay (thus bringing eternal peace from all worries, and therefore not something to be rightfully afraid of) or a migration to another place to meet souls of famous people such as Hesiod and Homer and heroes worry Odysseus. With these, Socrates can continue his task of questioning.Bibliographyking of beasts Strauss. Socrates and Aristophanic. New York, 1966.1 Pp 82-22 Pp83- 23 Pp 84-14 Pp 82-25pp143-16 Pp 138-27 Pp 84-28 Pp 180-29 Pp163-4