The Apology, Plato

I am a philosophy student at Yale. A juvenile at the subject, sure, but I do my research!

The Apology:

Author: Plato
Date: c. 399–387 BCE
Genre: Philosophy, Ethics, Political Philosophy

The Apology, Summary:

The Apology is not an apology in the modern sense—it is a defense speech delivered by Socrates during his trial in Athens in 399 BCE. Plato writes Socrates defending himself against accusations of corrupting the youth and impiety (which means to not believe in the city's gods).

Rather than pleading for mercy, Socrates argues that his life's work—questioning people about virtue, justice, and wisdom—has rather benefited Athens! He explains that the Oracle at Delphi declared no one wiser than him.

Perplexed by the accusations of the court and their notable vendetta against him, he investigated politicians, poets, and craftsmen, and the works. Socrates comes to discover that although they believed themselves wise, they often lacked genuine understanding. Socrates concluded that his wisdom consisted only in recognizing his own ignorance.

Throughout the speech, Socrates refuses to flatter the jury, appeal to emotion, or compromise his principles. I find he makes a bit of a fool of them all. He insists that moral integrity is more important than survival. Even after being sentenced to death, he maintains that death should not be feared because no one knows whether it is an evil or perhaps the greatest good.

This work established philosophy as a way of life, a way to live and live by. To say it is an academic discipline defeats the meaning of this work.

The Apology, Historical Context:

• Athens had recently lost the Peloponnesian War.

• Its democracy was politically unstable.

• Many Athenians distrusted intellectuals.

• Socrates had connections with controversial political figures, making him politically suspicious.

His trial became symbolic of the conflict between philosophy and democracy.

The Apology, Topics (Wisdom):

The arguments made by Socrates are as follows:

• True wisdom is recognizing one’s ignorance—lack thereof

• Those who claim such certainty without knowledge are quite foolish. Much more so than those who abdicate pride and admit uncertainty

• Knowledge begins with intellectual humility

Counterarguments

• If everyone doubted themselves constantly, society would become indecisive

• Experts know more than that of the ordinary

Socrates’ responses

• He does not reject expertise, but rejects pretending to know of which a man is clueless.

  • False confidence is danger, genuine knowledge is a much more humble pursuit.

The Apology, Topics (Virtue):

In discussing virtue, Socrates argues that

• A good life depends on virtue much more than wealth, reputation or power.

  • Money cannot create virtue

    • Virtue creates a proper use of money

• The soul should receive greater attention than that of material possessions'

The court makes the following counterarguments

• People require wealth to survive

• Material security contributes to happiness

The reply…:

Although necessities matter, sacrificing justice for wealth harms the soul more than poverty harms the body!

The Apology, Topics (Fear of Death):

Socrates makes the point that

• Fearing death assumes knowledge that no one possesses

• Death, for all we know, could be a simple dreamless sleep

  • Or, perhaps, an opportunity to converse with great thinkers

• Fearing death is irrational because we do not know what we are fearing

The court claims that

• Death ends every possibility

• Avoiding it is naturally desirable

And so Socrates says

• Avoiding wrongdoing is more important than avoiding death.

• Living dishonorably is worse than dying honorably.

The Apology, Central Thesis:

The examined life, dedicated to truth and virtue, is worth more than comfort, reputation, or survival.

The Apology, Major Ideas:

Philosophy is a moral obligation.

• Question authority.

• Accept ignorance.

• Never abandon justice.

• Moral character outweighs public opinion.

The Apology, Significance

The Apology is found to be a foundational work of Western Philosophy.

It contains the ever famous Socratic method, defines philosophy as relentless questioning.

It also had influence on Stoicism, Christianity, Enlightenment thinkers, as well as modern education.

Shows philosophy’s willingness to challenge political authority.

The Apology, Vocabulary:

Apology — formal legal defense

Dialectic — truth discovered through dialogue

Virtue (Arete) — moral excellence

Oracle — divine prophetic authority

Impiety — disrespect toward religion

Sophist — professional teacher of rhetoric

Soul (Psyche) — the moral self

Elenchus — Socratic questioning

Hubris — excessive pride

Wisdom — knowing one's ignorance

The Apology, One Minute Explanation:

"The Apology records Socrates defending philosophy itself. He argues that genuine wisdom begins with admitting ignorance. He preaches against the judges that virtue is more important than wealth or reputation, and that justice should never be abandoned even to save one's own life. His willingness to die rather than betray his principles makes him one of history's defining philosophical figures."

The Apology, Misconceptions:

It was not an apology—not in the sense you and I may know it. It was, instead, a political defense! Apologia (ἀπολογία), the Greek word is closer to meaning defense, or vindication. No sincere sorry’s were given at the trial.

The Apology, Connections:

Leads directly into Crito.

Introduces ideas developed in Republic.

Contrasts with Machiavelli's willingness to compromise for political stability.

Inspired Stoicism.