Plato, Apology - De Anza College

21 Pages·2009·0.16 MB·English

Plato, Apology
The Charges Against Socrates
2 sets of accusers:
1. The “old accusers”
2. More recent accusers (formal charges)
The Charges from the “Old
Accusers”
1. Socrates busies himself studying things in the
sky and below the earth
-Here, Socrates is charged with concerning
himself with inappropriate topics of study
He replies by challenging anyone to
testify to having seen him professing
knowledge about these things.
The Charges from the “Old
Accusers”
2. Socrates makes the worse argument into the
stronger.
Socrates replies with a question: What
would make people say this about him?
His answer: He possesses a
“Special Kind of Wisdom”
Socrates' Special Wisdom
What is the nature of this wisdom?
Socrates knows the limits of his
own knowledge.
Something to consider: How might this
wisdom be an advantage to a person?
Socrates' Special Wisdom
IMPORTANT: Socrates does not think that he is
the only person who can have this wisdom.
A Question to Ask Ourselves
Socrates says that he is merely undertaking this
mission to “serve the god”. Do we believe this?
Is this really the only thing he's doing?
The Socratic Challenge
Socrates challenges his peers to think for
themselves, and to be critical of beliefs, values,
and ideas.
Return to the Charges Against
Socrates
Now that we know about Socrates' Special
Wisdom, why would people accuse him of
“making the worse argument the stronger”?
The Formal Charges Against
Socrates
1. Socrates corrupts the young
-This is an old charge against
Socrates, revived by Meletus
Socrates has two replies to this charge