Apology

A detailed Summary of Apology

In Plato's Apology, Socrates is on trial, being prosecuted on the charge of impiety. His accusers, Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon, wanted Socrates punished for "enquiring into things under the earth and in the heavens, and making the weaker argument the stronger, and teaching these same things to other people." Socrates was put on trial to defend himself and his actions. But Socrates did not feel the need to defend himself only to explain why he does the things he does.

The whole event was broken down into three phases: The trial, the sentencing, and his address to the people of Athens. In the trial phase, Socrates continues to question his accusers. He explains that wisdom is not necessarily what you know, it is realizing what you do not know, being able to admit it, and openly questioning what you do not know to gain that knowledge. Those who accused him of impiety wanted him convicted and punished not truly for those charges but mainly for questioning their personal wisdom. They felt that by Socrates questioning their knowledge, he mocked their intelligence and humiliated them in the process. Socrates explained that his purpose was not to insult them but force them to question themselves and what they thought t

Another important aspect of this work is Socrates' unyielding respect for the laws that is evident throughout his trial. Plato was so impressed by this that he felt it necessary to emphasize this. Even in today's society, this kind of dedication to the laws is hard to come by, so I can understand Plato's impression and share it with him. Plato thought Socrates was a good citizen who respected what was good and right and a man who held the laws in high regard because he believed in them.

The most probable central argument in Plato's Apology to me is that no one should ever betray his or her own personal morals and beliefs for any reason, not even if he or she is faced with death. If one believes that they have truly led a good life to the best of one's ability, then there is no reason to apologize for anything. The Gods will know that you are a good person and no mortal punishment should be reason enough to desert those beliefs. The people of Athens wanted Socrates to apologize to them for his constant questioning of their intellect and for humiliating them. But Socrates refused to regret his actions, especially since he has done nothing wrong. This is a testament to Socrates' dedication to his philosophy and to how nothing could sway him to turn his back on his own beliefs and morals, not even the possibility of being put to death for his actions. That shows Socrates' strength in character. One can only wish that more people would stick to their innate sense!

hey knew. He felt that was the true path to wisdom. He also believed in and respected the law so much that he put his faith and trust into the hands of the jury, stating that he would not beg them to let him go. He felt it was their!

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Also important in the story is how death should never be feared because no man has a true idea of what death is like. As a philosopher, Socrat

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Approximate Word count = 1296
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History