Platos Apology - 1219 Words

Plato’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 Plato 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 this being his first time in court â€Å"For I am more than seventy years of age, and this is the first time that I have ever appeared in a court of law, and I am quite a stranger to the ways of the place; and therefore I would have you regard me as if I†¦show more content†¦Continuing with his defense Socrates addresses one of his accusers Meletus in accordance to the accusation that he is a corrupter of youth.. He asks a series of questions to Meletus which he answers yes to all. But it Socrates’ last question that shows his true motive for all the questions, â€Å"Then every Athenian improves and elevates them; all with the exception of myself; and I alone am their corrupter? Is that what you affirm?†(Plato) Meletus replies â€Å"That is what I stoutly affirm.†(Plato) Socrates’ response to this just add another mark for his cleverness â€Å"I am very unfortunate if that is true. †¦ Happy indeed would be the condition of youth if they had one corrupter only, and all the rest of the world were their improvers.†(Plato) By asking these questions to Meletus, Socrates exposes Meletus’ answers as counterintuitive: For if they were true then the society of Athens would be a much better place with little to no corruption. Socrates reveals it is those who are accusing the innocent of being corrupt that are themselves corrupt. Even though SocratesShow MoreRelatedApology, 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. In â€Å"Apology,† Socrates learns that the wisest men are those who do not think of themselves of wise, and rather make an approach of going beyond an authentic method of inquiry and helping others seek their personal philosophies which may result in conflict. In Plato’s â€Å"Apology,† Socrates demonstrates thatRead MoreThe Apology Of Plato Apology983 Words   |  4 PagesAt the beginning of The Apology, Socrates is directly speaking to the jury in Athens. In the beginning of the apology Socrates speaks of accusations that have been made against him throughout his life. There seems to be two different kinds of accusations. The first being biases accusati ons that have been made on throughout his past and the other being recent accusations. 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. This general and far-reaching exclusion of the tragic originates from Plato’s dissension made in The Republic of the normative claims defined by nearly all tragic and epic poetry regarding the question of how a human being should live. Tragedy, merely by being tragedy, expresses the following evaluative commitmentsRead MoreThe Apology Plato Essay698 Words   |  3 PagesMelinda Leager PHIL 201-03/04/08 Instructor: Dr. Dennis L. Burke September 7, 2012 Response Paper â€Å"The Apology† by Plato In this reading Plato tells the story of Socrates and his trial which ultimately lead to his death sentence. Socrates was a 70 year old man at peace with his own mortality yet willing to face his accusers with an almost definite possibility of death to maintain his own integrity and beliefs and morality. 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 wisdomRead MoreThe Apology And Phaedo By Plato Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pages The Apology and Phaedo by Plato are two different books describing what is like to be a philosopher per Socrates believes. These two books take place in two different scenarios in Socrates’ life, The Apology takes place in a court room where Socrates is to defend himself from false charges brought to him by Meletus who is acting as the prosecutor. Phaedo, on the other hand, takes place in a prison cell post judgment on the day of Socrates execution. Hence, The Apology and Phaedo appeared to display