Essay on plato apology of socrates. "The Apology of Socrates" by Plato 2022-10-04

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The "Apology of Socrates" is a defense speech, written by Plato, in which Socrates defends himself against the charges of corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods. The speech was given by Socrates at his trial in 399 BCE, and it is one of the most famous accounts of the trial and execution of Socrates.

In the "Apology," Socrates begins by addressing the charges against him. He admits that he has been accused of corrupting the youth, but he insists that this is not true. Instead, he argues that he has actually done the opposite by encouraging the young people of Athens to think for themselves and to question the beliefs and values of their society.

Socrates also denies the charge that he does not believe in the gods. He asserts that he does believe in the gods, but that his understanding of the divine is different from that of the majority of Athenians. He explains that he believes in a single, eternal, and perfect God, rather than the many gods worshipped by the Athenians.

Throughout the "Apology," Socrates maintains that he is guided by his conscience and a sense of duty to the gods. He asserts that he has always followed his conscience, even when it has led him to act against the wishes of the authorities or the expectations of society. He also claims that he has always tried to live a good and virtuous life, and that he has always tried to do what is right, even if it means facing criticism or persecution.

In the end, Socrates is found guilty of the charges against him and sentenced to death. However, he remains unrepentant and maintains that he has always tried to do what is right, regardless of the consequences.

The "Apology of Socrates" is an important work not only because it provides a detailed account of the trial and execution of Socrates, but also because it offers a glimpse into the mind and philosophy of one of the greatest philosophers in history. It is a testament to the courage and integrity of Socrates, who was willing to stand up for his beliefs and to challenge the norms and values of his society, even at the cost of his own life.

The Apology of Socrates Essay Example

essay on plato apology of socrates

Socrates is constantly face to face with injustice, continued to involve himself with politics. The same dilemma in which the ancient philosophers found themselves in resembles some moral issues in the society today. Moreover, the Sophists attacked him for engaging in rhetorical word-play. He would not relent and ask for forgiveness before the jury, but rather calls for cerebration because he knows his wisdom would continue to trend in the society even after he was killed Plato 2017. He knows that he is facing a jury that has been biased against him from their youth through the mouths of their fathers and it is highly unlikely that they will judge him fairly now. He goes on to say that he does know one thing and that is that he is not wise. Exile is also thought of as a worse punishment because you are stripped of your community.


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Plato's Apology of Socrates

essay on plato apology of socrates

His charges where those often used against philosophers. How to buy a book? I believe that by Socrates following through with his death sentence ordered by the Athenians, he proved that he is wise and he stood up for what he believes in. He attributes his conduct to his desire for truth and understanding unlike the members of the jury that are only interested in honor, reputation and financial gains Plato, 2017. The state of the soul is more important than the state of the body as it is the determinant of the well-being and achievement of an individual. However, the Socrates uses ignorance as a tool of defense by insisting that he is not a sophist wise man and thus does not know anything noble.

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"Socrates's Apology" by Plato

essay on plato apology of socrates

He was just trying to find out what the Oracle meant when it said he was the wisest man alive. He defends his attitude from the perspective that his enemies are envious and malicious to him. He categorically attributed their false behavior to ignorance. In the case of the city of Athens in which Socrates found out that they were simply impostors, not as wise as they were perceived by the society. The work demonstrates the shift of values from the personal welfare to public morals and knowledge, which are worth dying for according to the philosopher. Socrates was 70 years of age at the time of the trial.


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Plato's Apology Analysis Essay on Apology, Plato, Socrates

essay on plato apology of socrates

Socrates made his defence in such a way as to antagonize the jury…. Speaking in an emotional and provocative manner, Socrates withdraws responsibility for his claims because he was not a paid teacher thus had no obligation to influence the society Plato, 2017. Discussing both these charges, Socrates denies claiming that his works have been misinterpreted and in this process, he introduces the meta-philosophical thesis in his speech. The second part of the speech is the one in which Socrates speaks after the Jury vote has been taken and the verdict 280: 221. The apology talks about wisdom in the society.

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Argumentative Essay On Apology Of Socrates By Plato

essay on plato apology of socrates

In the Apology, he first clears the claims that he is a wise man Plato, 2017. According to Socrates the only rational and reasonable way is to accept the punishment given by the law, regardless of what it is. Socrates as we know talks a lot, his difference from others is emphasized because of his sophisticated but indulging accounts with individuals. If his father scolded him or beat him, he would not do the same in return to his father because he is superior. After conversing with the politicians, he concluded that while they considered them wiser than others, the truth was they were not. All the authority was vested in the in the irresponsible authority of the jury and there was no system of checks and balances between the judges and the jury. In his defense, Socrates says that he would never corrupt youth voluntarily, and if he did so involuntarily, he does not deserve punishment.

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Plato’s Apology of Socrates essay Essay — Free college essays

essay on plato apology of socrates

This confrontation Socrates had with Meletus shows that Socrates is telling the truth and his accusers are not. He knew that the Athenians loved to hear him because they like the cross examination of Pretenders of Wisdom. The fact that Socrates would rather stay in Athens and die rather than flee and love proves that he is an apostle of reason. If no one obeyed these principles, the citizens would no longer obey the laws and the city would not exist. Reeve's book will be accessible to any serious undergraduate, but it is also a work that will have to be taken into account by every scholar doing advanced research on Socrates' - Richard Kraut, Northwestern University. It is made possible because Socrates strategically applies his level of wisdom as a way to dig deeper into concepts that challenge the opposing being. Buying process is 100% secure.

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"Apology of Socrates" by Plato: Socrates' Defense

essay on plato apology of socrates

As far as impiety is concerned, Socrates says that since he believes in a divine thing, he also believes in divinity. However, the specifics of his approach are that he avoids using direct denial in his defense speech and chooses ways to make his opponents look ridiculous and ignorant. Socrates begins by telling the court that he will not use sophistic oratory, which is the kind of speech that would have been expected from a professional speechwriter. He even reinstates that he is willing to remain loyal to his philosophical calling even at death, provides truth prevails Siegel, 2009. During this conversation Socrates shows that Meletus is lying and actually has no offense against him. Cornell University Press, 1979.

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Socrates in the Apology : an essay on Plato's Apology of Socrates : Reeve, C. D. C., 1948

essay on plato apology of socrates

Socrates speaks of the truth and gets shamed for it because his intellect is considered a weapon to those who like to be told what they want to hear. Thus, Socrates believed it was always wrong to disobey the laws. And yet, he also claimed that nobody ever did something wrong willingly. . I will provide an argument from my own personal stance that the character of Socrates in the Apology is a variation of both religious fanatic and apostle of reason. It is always talking, wearing a coarse coat, through the streets barefoot, in any weather. And I have a witness of the truth of what I say; my poverty is a sufficient witness.

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