Plato's Apology

Introduction

Plato was born in 428/427 BCE to one of the most distinguished political families in Athens. It is likely that Plato, like all young men in his time, served in the military, but he never held a political position in Athens. If I would be a part of the jury. I may not find Socrates guilty due to the following reasons. Plato never represented logical truths. As Apology opens, the prosecution, for which Meletus is the spokesperson, has already stated its case. Meletus was probably merely the spokesperson for the chief instigator of the trial, Anytus, respected leader of the restored democracy; the third accuser, Lycon, is barely mentioned in the dialogue. Meletus speaks only a few words, and the other accusers none, but Socrates repeats the charges made against him. He begins by pointing out that almost everything they have said is false, especially their warning to the court implying that Socrates is a persuasive speaker (Brumbaugh, 29-40), unless they mean by that one who speaks truth. His words will be unpremeditated but spoken with confidence in the justice of his cause; it is to truth that the jury should attend, just as it is the speaker's duty to state only the truth.

Charges

There are actually four charges against him, Socrates says: the present ones of impiety and corruption of the young and some ancient ones his audience heard as children and that should now be refuted. (Brumbaugh, 29-40) The latter were made by accusers largely unknown, except for Greek dramatist Aristophanes in his burlesque of Socrates in the comedy Nephelai (423 b.c.e.; The Clouds, 1708), which was written in fun rather than ill will. These accusations were that Socrates had theories about and conducted investigations into the heavens and things below the earth (that is, pursued physical sciences), and that he could make weaker arguments appear to overcome the stronger and taught others to do the same (that is, he was a Sophist).

The third charge reveals the truth of his bravery and courage. Socrates was not afraid of death. Socrates clearly said that death is natural and is not afraid of horrible actions of death. (Taylor, 156-160) Such accusations are dangerous, Socrates argues, because uncritical listeners assume that such inquirers must be atheists. However, the accusations are false, for Socrates has no knowledge of physics, not from disdain but from lack of interest. Socrates asks whether anyone present ever heard him discussing these matters. As to the charge that he has taught others professionally for fees, this, too, is false. Socrates professes (ironically) to admire Sophists such as Gorgias, Prodicus, and Hippias, who are able to convince youths to forsake their usual company which is free and come to them for training in social skills for large fees. Still, people will wonder how Socrates got this reputation if the accusations are false, so he will explain.

Perhaps he does have some degree of human wisdom, though that of the Sophists is undoubtedly superhuman. The tale he will tell ...