Platos Apology Essay - 951 Words

Plato’s Apology is a narrative of the famous speech of Socrates that is made during his trial. Instead of apologizing, Socrates attempts to defend himself and his actions. He is put on trial due to his accusations of corrupting Athens, not acknowledging the same gods as the state, and creating new gods. During his dialogue, Socrates remains very calm and speaks with honesty. He focuses on what is said rather than his manner of speech. When he is first presented in from of the jury, Socrates asks them if they will hear him in the same dialect in which he is familiar with. Being his first court appearance, he is not accustomed to the language of the jury. Socrates spent most of his lifetime in the marketplace. This caused him to use†¦show more content†¦He uses a strategy in his speech as his warns the court that it will be to their advantage if they listen to him. For Socrates â€Å"does not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse† (The Apology, 30d1). He states that they can execute him, or even kill him, but the main damage will be done onto themselves. For having a man banished unjustly will be a burden to the city of Athens. Also, they will never find another man like Socrates. Socrates explains that he was sent down as a gift from the god. Therefore, if the jury punishes him, they will be disgracing the god. In order to enrich his argument, Socrates compares himself to a gadfly and the Athenian state to a noble, but lazy horse. A gadfly is constantly lingering around a horse, buzzing and stinging, just as Socrates is always moving throughout the city, striking up conversation. Although it may be irritating, a gadfly will keep a horse from falling asleep. Socrates claims that similarly to a gadfly, his presence may be agitating, but the state of Athens will benefit from it. His services keep the state from becoming sluggish and careless, and will eventually waken it into productive action. This analogy shows that rather than viewing himself as a corruptor of the youth, as that stateShow MoreRelatedPlatos Apology1219 Words   |  5 PagesPlato’s Apology, is by far one of the most logical yet critical thinking text that I have ever read. Plato describes Socrates, the accused atheist and corrupter of youth in ancient Athens, as a true beacon of ethics and morality. The method that Pl ato uses to depict Socrates on trial gives us a look back on how the trial of a man who encourages one of sound mind to ask questions even to those who are deemed wise in the eyes of others. Despite facing odds that are stacked highly against him, and thisRead MoreApology, By Plato s Apology1298 Words   |  6 Pagesknowing you know nothing.† In â€Å"Apology,† written by Plato, this ethical belief makes a bold appearance demonstrating that true ignorance only revolves around those who think that they know everything. 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Socrates explains he was accused of being, â€Å" a wise man, a student of all things in the sky and below the earth, who makes theRead MorePlato s Apology And The Apology1591 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper I will discuss how Plato s Apology and Phaedo have difference ideas of what it means to be a philosopher. I will explain how in the Apology, the philosopher is wise in how he/she understand that they are wise because they know that they don t know, and in Phadeo the philosopher knowledgable and are concern in gaining more knowledge. In Plato s Apology we learn about Socrates life and who he really is. In platos Apology a philosopher is a wise person because he understands thatRead MoreThe Plato of the Apology517 Words   |  2 PagesWestern philosophy, beginning with the dialogues of Plato, is premised upon both the rejection of the artform of tragedy and the rejection of experiences and events considered to be tragic. 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He fully understood from the beginning of his trial what the sentenceRead MoreThe Apology Of Plato s Apology982 Words   |  4 Pages In the â€Å"Apology,† Socrates seems disobedient, disrespectful and even boastful as he speaks to the magistracy. In â€Å"Crito,† however, Socrates is found sleeping soundly as he patiently awaits his punishment – death. It seems that Plato’s works paint two entirely contradicting portraits of his mentor. Yet, it was not a contradiction for Socrates to refuse Crito’s help to leave Athens and avoid punishment, because the alternative penalties or escape would compromise Socrates lifestyle, and since he failedRead MorePlato And Plato s The Apology1623 Words   |  7 Pagesmore interested in determining how the world worked and its origins/cosmology, as oppose to philosophers such as Plato And Socrates who focused more on ethics or morality. Plato’s conception of God and religion can be depicted in his literatures â€Å"Euthyphro† and â€Å"The Apology† which he expresses through his writings of Socrates in dialogue formation. While one may assume that both Plato and Socrates shared analogous notions of God and religion it is impossible to truly know given the Socratic problemRead More The Teaching Styles of the Apology of Plato an the Gospel of Luke1231 Words   |  5 Pageseducators. They have both influenced countless people with their teachings. However, comparing the two is slightly strange since Socrates is the subject of the story, which is told by Plato, and Luke is the teller of the story of Jesus. A comparison can be made between the two as Socrates is a great teacher while Plato is mostly silent and Luke, while not overly prevalent in the his story can be compared to other accounts of the story of Jesus among which his by far the most didactic. But when youRead MoreSocrates Apology Of Plato s Apology981 Words   |  4 PagesPart I: Essay Outline Question #2 At 23b of Plato s Apology Socrates claims to be wiser than his interlocutors because, unlike them, he does not think he knows what he does not know. Question: Is this self-assessment genuinely meaningful or is it merely clever word play? Thesis Statement: I think Socrates’ message behind his speech to his interlocutors was to both state his superior wisdom and gain the attention while doing so. Outline I. Introduction A. Opening Statement 1. What is wisdom