2:Plato's "Apology"

Find and read "The Apology" by Plato from the Journey of Transformation Course Reader.  Then respond to the following: 

  1. Why is Socrates considered wise by the God of Delphi?  Why does he ultimately see himself as “wiser” than those in careers/fields he has little comprehension of?  Quote at least once.

    • Socrates is considered wiser by the God of Delphi because he understands where he lacks knowledge. Socrates says: “I am wiser than this man; for neither of us knows anything that is worth knowing, but he thinks that he knows something when he does not, whereas I am quite conscious of my ignorance...
      that I do not think that I know what I do not know” (16). This quote shows why Socrates is wise. Socrates realizes that people are under the impression that they are knowledgeable and unconscious of their lack of wisdom.

  2. Find Socrates’s description of what he’s accused of in the last paragraph on page 16.  Do you think he spends the majority of his time and effort on defending himself against his accusations?  If not, what does he seem more interested in using his time to do/say?  Quote at least once.

    • 2. Socrates is accused of being an evil person who corrupts the youth by not believing in God and making people question their beliefs and values. Socrates spent some of his time defending himself against the accusation, but the majority of his time talking about philosophy. To defend himself Socrates says that all of the accusations are based on false information that people spread about him, and he did not do anything he is being accused of. He believes that it's because of his reputation that he is being charged, and people are spreading false information about him. Then Socrates starts talking about philosophy as a general idea. Socrates spent most of his time talking about his view of the world and his idea of philosophy. In the following quote Socrates asks just hypothetical questions to prove his point: "And now Meletus, I will ask you another question-by Zeus I will: Which is better, to live among bad citizens or good ones? Answer, Friend, I say: The question may be easily answered. Do not the good do their neighbor god, and the bad do them evil" (Apology 17). This quote shows that Socrates spent time asking questions and proving his point of philosophy rather than defending himself.

  3. After rereading the following three excerpts closely, answer the following questions in a paragraph, quoting from each section at least once:  a.  What does Socrates value?  b.  What does Socrates think little of or dislike?  c.  What does he think is proper to living life well?  
    - excerpt 1: from the last paragraph on 20 through first page break on 22
    - excerpt 2: the last large paragraph on 26
    - excerpt 3: the second-to-last paragraph of the entire piece on page 30

  • Socrates values knowledge, truth, and self-improvement. He believed that
    people pretend to know something even though they don’t know, and this causes
    them to lie; and pretend to know something even though they don’t know. This is
    why Socrates believes the great way to live life is self-improvement and growth.
    Socrates says, “Are you not ashamed of heaping up the greatest amount of
    money and honor and reputation and caring so little about wisdom and truth and
    the greatest improvement of the soul which you never regard or heed at all?” ( Apology 21-22). Socrates thinks little about people personal life and their
    wealth. He doesn’t care about fame and reputation. Socrates says, “but what
    return shall be made to the man who has never had the wit to be ide laddering
    his whole life; but has been careless of what the many cares for wealth and
    family interests, and military offices, and speaking in the assembly, and
    magistracies, and plots, and parties” ( Apology 26). Socrates believes for a
    person to live a great life and be healthy. One must examine their life and focus
    on improving it, and understanding more about it, and understanding oneself
    from the inside. Overall, all becoming a better person rather than looking for
    fame, wealth, power, and reputation. Socrates also teaches that wisdom comes
    from not understanding everything. Having conversations with people with an
    open mind, and always seeking the truth. Socrates says, “care about the greatest
    improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from
    virtue comes money and every other good of man, public as well as private.”
    ( Apology 30)

notes:

Wisdom:

  1. Avoiding disobedience to your "better" (respecting authority or guidance from those wiser or more experienced people who are more knolagebal then us) then us

  2. Seeking education and looking into the true nature of things(constantly seeking knolwage and looking for the truth)( socirtys other qouaostion other peole blive to chalnge other peole understadning but also his).

  3. Being true to yourself and fulfilling your "mission" or purpose.

The Good Life does not involve:

  1. Materialism – valuing things over meaningful pursuits.

  2. Placing anything (such as family, wealth, etc.) above what truly matters (virtue and moral integrity).

Virtue:

  • Defined by moral standards and principles.

  • Achieved through the development of moral habits, such as:

    • Temperance (Self-Control): Exercising restraint and making decisions that are truly beneficial.

    • Prudence: Practicing good judgment and wisdom in decision-making.

Key Concept on Self-Control:

  • Temperance is essential; having self-control allows one to make choices that are in their best interest.

  • A person who lacks self-control is ultimately less happy because they are unable to govern their desires and actions.