2. Author -Plato
427(?) - 348 BCE
“Plato” means “the broad” – possibly his nickname.
Son of a wealthy Athens family and served in the Athens
army during the Peloponnesian War.
Plato was Socrates’ student.
Almost all we know about Socrates is from Plato’s
writings.
After Socrates’s execution for corrupting the young and
neglecting the gods, Plato left Athens in disgust and
travelled widely.
In 387 BCE, he returned to Athens and established the
Academy which lasted over 900 years.
3. Apology
The ancient meaning of Apology: Apologia, or
speaking in defense of a cause or of one’s beliefs or
actions according to Ancient Creek language.
Here, it is Plato’s version of the speech given by
Socrates as he defend himself in 399 BC against the
charges of “corrupting the young and by not
believing in the gods in whom the citizens believes.
4. The brief summary
Socrates is accused because he only speaks the truth and
asks the jurors to pay attention to the truth of his words
but some of them feel angry about Socrates’s behaviors.
Socrates says he is conscious that he isn’t wise although
he believe he is smarter than some men.
He still keeps his truth through spreading his words over
the city. Some accusers blamed him as two reasons: 1)
corruption of the young 2) Not believing in the city’s gods
but rather in spiritual things.
Second charge for Socrates is impiety. Meletus argues that
if Socrates denies the consistency of Gods in the spiritual
world, he will be impious.
5. Continuing Summary
Socrates also remains true to his way of life even he may
be sentenced to death. During the trial, he also shows
people know nothing of death so it is irrational to fear it.
When Meletus asks Socrates for the penalty of death,
Socrates naturally accepts his fate. Moreover, he also
advocates that we should be law-abiding men do justice
rather then men with personal emotions.
During the final verdict, Socrates closes his defense
speech and still remains true to his own ideals. His
consistencies of his truth keeps him no fearful and he
finally become true himself.
6. Character Analysis
In the Book
Socrates: 70-years-old man on this trial. He has a
strong desire to teach most people about his
philosophical ideals but he finally sentenced at that
time. It is a grave mistake made by jurors and the
people. During the trial, his persistence of ideals is
respectful and Plato presents him as a martyr.
Meletus: An Athenian official and publicly accused
Socrates’ ideals. During the trial, Socrates proves
Meletus’s mistakes but he still stubbornly refuses to
acknowledge and suppressed Socrates.
7. Character Analysis
in One’s Life
Socrates:
The protagonist of The Apology
Socrates who is less informed by
Platonic philosophy and serves more
as foil for his interlocutors who claim
to have positive knowledge.
A very simple man
not having many material possessions
speaking in a plain, conversational
manner
8. Character Analysis
in One’s life
Meletus :
The chief accuser of Socrates
Responsible for bringing Socrates to
trial.
Plato's portrayal of him, is
sympathetic.
Socrates' cross-examination of him in
The Apology puts Meletus to shame.
9. Important Quotes
"I am very conscious that I am not wise at all,”
"Either I do not corrupt the young or, if I do, it is
unwillingly,"
"To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think
oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what
one does not know.”
"It is not the purpose of a juryman's office to give
justice as a favor to whoever seems good to him, but
to judge according to law, and this he has sworn to
do.”
10. Theme analysis
The Apology is bridges to divide between
philosophy and literature- less concerned with
asserting any particular philosophical doctrines than
it is with creating a portrait of the ideal philosopher.
Three major themes in Socratic thought:
Socratic irony,
the elenchus (the Socratic mode of inquiry)
the higher ethical concerns that dominate Socrates' life.
11. Socratic Irony
The Delphic oracle, which proclaimed that Socrates
was the wisest of men because he knows that he
knows nothing. This oracle has led Socrates to
assume his highly ironic stance of confessing his own
ignorance, and yet showing his interlocutors to be
even more ignorant than he.
His wisdom casts all pretensions to human
knowledge into question
12. The Elenchus
Disabuse Socrates' interlocutors of their pretensions and thereby
deepens their wisdom.
Socrates never lectures on his beliefs in a one-sided manner. This
supports the idea that Socrates has no knowledge of his own to
put forward. His method of inquiry consists of identifying what
his interlocutor thinks he knows, and then slowly dissecting
those claims of knowledge.
For Socrates, wisdom and virtue are closely connected, so his
efforts serve to improve society as a whole. In Socrates' view, if
we are all wise, none of us will ever do wrong, and our self-
knowledge will lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives. Thus, the
philosopher, according to Socrates, does not merely follow
abstract intellectual pursuits for the sake of amusement, but is
engaged in activities of the highest moral value.
