Plato's Apology

PLATO DIALOGUES: EUTHYPHRO, APOLOGY, CRITO, MENO, PHAEDO Translated by G. M. A. Grube; Revised by John M. Cooper Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

#### Euthyphro

  • Socrates urges Euthyphro to clarify the nature of piety and impiety (Euthyphro 5a-c).

  • Euthyphro is prosecuting his own father, which sets the stage for Socrates' inquiry into the nature of piety.

  • The central "Euthyphro Dilemma" is introduced: Is something pious because the gods love it, or do the gods love it because it is pious? (Euthyphro 10a-11b).

  • Key Quote: "Either we were wrong when we agreed before, or, if we were right then, we are wrong now." (Euthyphro 11b)

  • Euthyphro fails to provide a satisfactory answer, ending the dialogue without a clear definition.

  • Socrates laments that he cannot escape the charge against him without understanding piety (Euthyphro 15c-16a).

    Apology

  • Purpose of the Apology: It is a record of the actual defense speech of Socrates at his trial against specific charges (Apology 24b-c).

  • Socrates' trial involved a large jury of 501 men.

  • The Apology is divided into three sections:

    1. The main speech (17a-35d)

    2. The counter-assessment (35e-38b)

    3. Final words to the jury (38c-42a)

    Main Speech (17a-35d)

  • Socrates addresses his accusers and the jury, denying being an accomplished speaker and stressing that he will speak the truth plainly (Apology 17b-c).

  • Key Quote: "You will hear the whole truth, though not… in embroidered and stylized phrases." (Apology 17b-c)

  • He differentiates between the wisdom of the sophists and his own human wisdom, described as knowing that he does not know (Apology 20d-21d).

  • Chaerephon’s Inquiry: He mentions that Chaerephon inquired of the Oracle at Delphi about his wisdom, receiving the answer that no man is wiser than Socrates (Apology 21a-b).

  • This prompts Socrates to engage in an investigation of those deemed wise.

    Investigation of Wisdom

  • Socrates shares his findings about politicians, poets, and craftsmen:

    • Politicians: Appear wise but lack true wisdom (Apology 21c-d).

    • Poets: Create beautiful poetry but do not understand what they compose (Apology 22b-c).

    • Craftsmen: Do possess knowledge in their trades but often confuse it with wisdom in other matters (Apology 22d-e).

  • Key Insight: Socrates concludes he is wiser only in knowing that he does not know, making him aware of his ignorance (Apology 23b).

    Response to Later Accusers (35e-38b)

  • Socrates addresses the accusations from Meletus, claiming he corrupts the youth and does not believe in the gods of the city (Apology 24b-c).

  • He cross-examines Meletus to illustrate the absurdity of the charges, arguing that no one would willingly corrupt those around them (Apology 25c-d).

    Final Words to the Jury (38c-42a)

  • Socrates reflects on the nature of death, courage, virtue, and his role as a "gadfly" in Athens (Apology 30e-31a).

  • Key Quote: "To fear death…is to think one knows what one does not know." (Apology 29a)

  • Suggests that death might be a blessing, either as an eternal sleep or a relocation of the soul where he can continue his philosophical investigations (Apology 40c-41c).

  • He refuses to beg for his life or propose a lesser punishment that would compromise his principles (Apology 36d-e).

    Crito

  • The dialogue occurs after Socrates' trial, before his execution, as Crito attempts to persuade Socrates to escape from prison (Crito 44a-b).

  • Crito offers practical reasons for escape, including his concern for public opinion and the welfare of Socrates' children (Crito 44c-e).

  • Socrates refuses, emphasizing the importance of justice and adherence to the law (Crito 49b-d).

  • Key Argument: Committing an injustice for the sake of avoiding punishment is not to be accepted; one must uphold justice and agreements.

  • Socrates introduces a personified argument from the Laws of Athens, stating that by living in Athens, he entered into an implicit agreement to obey its laws (Crito 50a-52a).

  • He concludes that escaping would violate this social contract, harm the state


Based on the provided notes on Plato's dialogues, here are specific points related to authority:

  • Challenging the authority of conventional understanding/fear:

    • Socrates states in the Apology: "To fear death…is to think one knows what one does not know." (Apology 29a). This quote reflects Socrates' challenge to the common, unchallenged 'authority' of fear, stemming from a lack of true wisdom.

  • The authority of the Laws and the Social Contract (from Crito):

    • Socrates introduces a personified argument from the Laws of Athens, asserting that by choosing to live in Athens, he entered into an implicit agreement to obey its laws (Crito 50a-52a). This argument establishes the authority of the state's legal framework based on consent.

    • He emphasizes the importance of upholding