plato introduction

apology, early accusers

plato

author of the apology and many other dialogues

• wrote only dialogues (429-347 BCE)

• student of socrates (469-399 BCE)

  • founded the Academy: school of philosophy in athens

the apology

socrates is on trial in athens

• for corrupting the youth and for atheism

the apology

persuasive speech of socrates accuser

• their claims are false

• their speech appears true

the apology

socrates’ poor and untrained rhetoric

• speaks poorly, but he speaks truth

• the speech reveals reality and is therefor true

  • S encourages his listeners to attend only to the truth and not to appear to appearance and truth

philosophers

opt for debate, discussion, getting at causes, explanation

• gain knowledge and live well

sophists

oraters, speakers, speech makers

• appear to be wise

• they can manipulate language to get their way

socrates response to his first accusers

he fears these accuser more than his later

socrates’ charges

• s buries himself studying things above they sky and below the earth

• s makes the worse argument, the stronger one

• s teaches others to be like him

• (s is wise)

sophists claim to be

wise, skilled in rhetoric

philosophers claim

what does it mean to live wisdomand seek truth through reasoned argument.

if socrates is not wise..

why does he have this reputation

• he calls upon the god (oracle) at Delphi

s’s wisdom is knowing that he dosent know

meletus

for the poets

anytus

for the craftsmen and politicians

lycon

for the oraters