apology 2

Course Schedule and Exam Information

  • Next Classes:

    • Tues 9/30: Discuss Crito

    • Thurs 10/2: Review Phaedo, focusing on the death scene

    • Tues 10/7: Exam 1

    • Requirements: Bring an 8½ by 11” bubble sheet and pencil

    • Study Guide: Now available

Apology: Overview

Formal Charges Against Socrates

  • Socrates faces formal charges that differ from those made by earlier accusers.

  • The specific formal charges include:

    • Corrupting the youth

    • Not believing in the gods in which the city believes

Socrates’ Argument on Corrupting the Youth (25a-26b)

  • Premise 1: Anyone who corrupts the youth ultimately harms himself.

  • Premise 2: No one would willingly harm himself.

  • Premise 3: No one would willingly corrupt the youth.

  • Deduction: Therefore, if Socrates corrupts the youth, it must be unwillingly.

  • Premise 4: One should not be punished for actions taken unwillingly.

  • Conclusion: Thus, if Socrates corrupts the youth, he should not be punished.

Objections to Socrates’ Argument

  • Objection 1: Premise 2 is false; some individuals do willingly harm themselves.

  • Objection 2: Premise 4 can be questioned; people might be punished for unintentionally harmful actions (e.g., drunk driving).

  • Clarification Needed: Discussion on the mental state of 'sane people' and their actions.

  • Revisiting Premise 4: It may be argued that punishment is warranted for actions done unwillingly only if they were foreseeable.

  • Critical Question: Was any harm foreseeable in Socrates' case?

Socrates’ Defense Against Believing in the Gods (27b-28a)

  • Premise 1: Socrates believes in spiritual things.

  • Premise 2: If Socrates believes in spiritual things, he must believe in spirits.

  • Premise 3: If Socrates believes in spirits, then he believes in gods.

  • Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates does believe in gods.

Socrates on the Value of Philosophy & Education (29c, 38a)

  • Concepts Overview:

    • Intrinsic Value: The importance of education for its own sake.

    • Instrumental Value: The importance of education as a means to an end (e.g., job opportunities).

  • Key Questions:

    • Is a college education valuable intrinsically or merely instrumentally?

    • How would these views influence behavior?

    • What would Socrates argue about the value of education?

  • Quiz Preparation: Respond to whether education is viewed as intrinsically valuable or merely instrumentally valuable in one sentence, providing reasoning for the stance taken.