Plato’s Apology: The Trial of Socrates
Socrates in the trial – speaking plainly, daily converse. He is a speaker of the truth, not an accomplished speaker.
Socrates’ accusers:
Why does he fear the early accusers more than the recent ones?
They’re anonymous, they are shadows, rumours brainwashed children of that period are now jurors who will decide his fate, they’re nameless, cannot bring evidence forward. They corrupted mind of jurors.
He fears them the most, they are formidable, because he exposes them for having a reputation of wisdom while they know little, he broke their façade, exposed their flaws hence they may go to any lengths to take vengeance. He exposed people’s ignorance = made himself a lot of enemies.
They accused him of being a Sophist, bad reputation during his time, teaching people weak arguments, weak ideas for money. Socrates was not a sophist. This is what the early accusers made them believe. Sophists were doubtful of God. The 500 jurors never got to hear Socrates speak, they’re just brainwashed.
Socrates’ Attitude during the trial:
The story of the oracle (Delphi) – temple of Apollo
Oracle is like a messenger, knowledge she has is provided by the gods. The wisdom was unnatural. One of Socrates followers asked the Oracle who is the wisest, is there wiser than Socrates? The God answered no. Socrates was in disbelief, he knew he was unwise.
So he questioned people and learns that people have a reputation to be wise, yet they know nothing and pretend to know. They continue this charade of wisdom because they’re reputation is built on it. He questioned craftsmen, politicians, poets
In the sight of god: wisdom means nothing, like Socrates, we should not pretend more than we are. True wisdom = not knowing.
“Socrates, the gadfly of Athen”
He was proud of the fact that he was like a fly, an irritant. Gadfly = horse fly. He believes this type of insect is necessary. He compares himself to the gadfly and the horse that the gadfly bites is Athens. Gods put Socrates as a gadfly to wake Athens up. Rousing, reproaching, scolding is a good thing. People do not want to be questioned, be shammed, have their knowledge punctured. He compares this to as though the person who wakes you up, you’d naturally be mad.
Philosophy is dangerous but necessary. Living well is more important than living. Die well is better than to live.
W3 C2 – Plato’s Apology
Accusation: He made weak arguments sound strong, he hasn’t done anything productive, seen as a troublemaker.
P.4 Socrates debate with Meletus
Accused of corrupting the youth and impiety (Does not believe in gods, and gods of the state) – Gods gave politicians their authority. To question the gods of the state is to question the state = treason.
Death seems to be the best option as a punishment and Socrates seems to support that.
P.8 Socrates, the gadfly
AKA the gadfly is Socrates and the horse it bites is Athens.
P.13 Death
Socrates condemned to death and Socrates is in favour.
P.14 Socrates final public comment
Not just directed at his sons but to everyone.
He says by killing him, he is not harmed, you harm yourself more. A good man can never be harmed. Killing a man unjustly does more harm to the community. He thinks he is God’s gift, this irritated people, he seemed big headed. He thinks he’s very special “you wont find another like me”.
Virtue is what should matter for everyone.
At the end he asks everyone to question and harass his sons, if they care more for money than virtue and if they think much of themselves – scold them. Remind them that they are nothing.
His very last words is that he believes in the gods.