Abstract This six page paper examines the Apology of Socrates. The paper describes how, in the Apology, Socrates declared that he could not be harmed by his fellow Athenians if he possessed the qualities of virtue and wisdom. It then discusses the concept that one can be punished physically, but if he possesses those virtues, his soul cannot be harmed.
From the Paper "Wisdom, Virtue, and the Good Life: An Analysis of Socrates In the Apology, the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates declared that he could not be harmed by his fellow Athenians if he possessed the qualities of virtue and wisdom. This statement reflected Socrates' belief that possessing virtue and wisdom protected him from any harm to his character and soul. His critics and enemies in Athens could punish him physically by sending him into exile or executing him, but they could not take away his virtue, his self-respect, or his soul, which are the most important things anyone possesses."
Abstract The paper is a philosophical discussion about Socrates' belief in the importance of the state over the individual, or individual family interests. The paper comments that Socrates is unwavering in this opinion, to the point that he accepts his own death sentence and does not try to flee. Commenting on this, the paper continues by relating that the conflict between the 'Apology' and the 'Crito', in many minds is that Socrates contradicts himself. He does this by stating in the 'Apology' that if there were a law made that stopped him from practising philosophy he would break it. The paper then goes on to discuss why, in fact, there is no contradiction.
From the Paper "Through the whole of the Apology Socrates stresses the importance of remaining true to the process of the trial, as the process of the trial is just, as it is a reflection of the power and wisdom of the state, even when applied by unjust men, seeking their own interests. Furthermore, the oaths of the judges are sacred, and should therefore not be swayed with entreaties and persuasive behavior on the part of the accused, as this goes against the nature of the self and the validity of the state. In the Apology Socrates is reported to have said to those who would question why he did not act as other men and defend himself with family and emotional spectacle."
Abstract This paper explores the Socratic philosophy of life in Plato's "Apology". The author contends that Socrates' approach to life was based on his thirst for knowledge. The paper demonstrates this claim by citing examples that demonstrate Socrates' use of logic and rhetoric in the pursuit of truth.
From the Paper "Socrates was the most important philosopher of the fifth century B.C. His dedication to the analysis of the world and human actions through careful reasoning transformed philosophy and resonates through the mists of antiquity to our modern day existence..."
Abstract This paper discusses the public apology made by Kevin Gover, the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, to Native Americans for the harsh mistreatment they received at the hands of the U.S. Government. The paper looks at the many aspects of this mistreatment addressed by the apology, and suggests that, although late in coming, a public apology may open the door to reparations for American Indians.
From the Paper "In his speech, Gover made note of the Dawes Severalty Act, passed in 1887. This act was just one in a long line of examples of the early settlers? inability to understand the ways of the Native Americans. The act was created by whites who believed they were helping weak Native Americans by turning them into farmers and land owners. While this act uprooted the Native Americans from their homes and placed them in reservations, the American government alleged that they were helping, rather than hurting the Native Americans simply because of their belief in the superiority of America and of its culture."
Abstract This paper examines the conflicts between the dialogues of "Allegory of the Cave" and "Divided Line" from Socrates' works "Apology" and "Crito". It looks at how in "Apology", Socrates stipulates that if the court would discharge him on the condition that he no longer practice philosophy, he would not obey the law and how in the "Crito" he argues that the laws must be obeyed, firstly because if they are not then a city cannot function and secondly because escaping would constitute and unjust act. It analyses whether it is possible for Socrates to disobey the court's ruling in the "Apology" and argue that one must never disobey a law in the "Crito" .
From the Paper "Socrates also likens the relationship between citizen and state to that of child and parent (Crito, 50d). To avoid punishment would be akin to that of not abiding by the decision one's parents made, effectively claiming that the state had no right to judge one in the first place. Socrates points out that if one thought this then one is free to leave the state, but by remaining there they effectively sign a contract to abide by the state's rulings (Crito, 52e). Socrates points out that he is not an equal to the state's laws, but an inferior and must abide by their decisions."
Abstract This paper discusses the "Apology of Socrates" by Plato. The paper explains that the "Apology of Socrates" is, in essence, a defense of philosophy and a glimpse into why it is necessary. In the first part of the apology, Socrates shows that philosophy challenges and breaks down society, and in the latter half, claims that philosophy is helpful and good. Although these may seem to be contradictory accounts, the paper shows that Socrates uses them to meet the same purpose. He does it to show Athenians that, although philosophy may break down the current social order, it will help rebuild a stronger society. Hence, philosophy is a necessity. The paper examines how Socrates changes his position regarding the charge that he affects the city's youth, regarding his association with the gods and regarding his claims about his own ignorance and knowledge.
From the Paper "One of the most serious charges laid against Socrates was that he corrupts the young by teaching them to follow his habit of examining people. In his defence speech, Socrates is evasive in his answer to this as he presents two different accounts of his affects on the youth. In the first part of his speech, Socrates claims that he is not accountable for what the youth do. He says that the young "follow me of their own accord" (Plato, Apology of Socrates 23c). Hence, he takes no responsibility for their actions and considers himself blame-free. Implicit in this defence is the admission that his method of questioning others and exposing their faults is indeed dangerous for the city and hence he does not want to be responsible for the young emulating him. However, in the second half of the apology, he takes a different standpoint."
Abstract The paper examines the "The Apology" where Plato describes how
Socrates was attempting to defend himself and his conduct at his
trial in 399 BC. The paper notes the irony that Plato stated in
"The Apology" that the leaders of Athens who said they believed in free speech actually sentenced and killed a man for free speech. The paper points out that still today, there are many places in this world where one does not have the freedom to say what he or she believes. According to the paper, it is everyone's right and duty to speak out for what he or she believes is best for the country, otherwise, there is the possibility of one day losing our democracy.
From the Paper "In The Apology Plato retells what took place when Socrates gave his speech at a trial in 399 BC where he was charged with not acknowledging the gods accepted by the state, creating new deities, and corrupting the Athens youth. Although it is called The Apology, it is anything but asking forgiveness as this word presently denotes. Instead, the term comes from the Greek word apologia, which translates as defending or a speech made in defense. Therefore, in The Apology, Socrates is actually attempting to defend himself and his conduct--definitely not to apologize for it."
Abstract The paper shows how Socrates' philosophy on life and death is seen so clearly through Plato's "Apology". It describes the event where Socrates is charged of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens and shows how in his speech Socrates gives his reasons for his so called Socratic method, and the impassioned self-defense of Socratic way of life.
From the Paper "Thus for Socrates a wise man is the one who knows about his ignorance, because he knows that he does not know anything. That is why we never see Socrates advocating anything in any of his dialogues and he doesn't expose his interlocutor's ignorance in order to prove himself right or about his own doctrine. Socrates say that he doesn't know the answer either and that he is questioning that someone might provide him with better answers. Some take this claim to ignorance to be irony but I think there is strong evidence that he is sincere in his search for truth."
Abstract A paper that will decipher the meaning of Socrates in the Apology by Plato. By understanding the concept of "human wisdom", we can understand how Socrates understands knowledge in human and god-like forms.
Abstract This paper discusses why, in the "Apology," Socrates claims that a good man cannot be harmed either in life or in death. The paper shows that this is because the philosopher strongly believed that a good man was someone who engaged in love of dialogue and learning. If this inquiry could go on in the next world, than a man of virtue did not have to fear harm in life or death.
Abstract This paper expounds on the main themes in the introduction to Plato's "Apology". The paper looks at Plato's discussion of the irony Socrates used in his defense arguments at his trial, at Plato's discussion of Socrates's use of the Socratic method of teaching at his trial, and at Plato's discussion of Socrates's strategy of questioning the fundamental validity of his trial itself, rather than putting on a vigorous defense of his actions.
From the Paper "The main themes of Plato's Apology are the great irony of many of Socrates' claims, his use of the Socratic method of teaching, and his surprising strategy of questioning the fundamental validity of his trial itself, rather than putting on a vigorous and elegant defense of his actions as was expected by both his supporters and detractors, and likely by the people of the jury. Plato's Apology is a detailed account of the 399 BC trial of the great philosopher Socrates, in which Socrates was on trial for his life after being accused by Meletus, an ambitious young Athenian, and others of the upper class of being "a doer of evil, and corrupter of the youth, and he does not believe in the gods of the state, and has other new divinities of his own" (Plato, Apology). Ultimately, Socrates? defense led to his death, by his own hand, and the silencing of one of the world's greatest intellectuals, making Socrates a martyr to the cause of intellectual freedom."
Abstract This paper explains that, describing in Plato's " Apology", Socrates went to wise men, politicians, poets and artisans and, in each case, he found that they had no answers to his questions and that their wisdom was false; thereby, Socrates concluded that the unexamined life is a life in which one is ignorant of one's ignorance. The author argues that the over-examination of life may lead to an over-intellectualization of the world, a divorce from the sensualization of the actually mystic world and a loss of pleasure and initiative. The paper concludes that, if Plato tries to argue that the unexamined life in the sensual world is not worth living, maybe that is because he has forgotten his own body's language because the unthinking life is the most in tune with the body and the sensual nature of the real physical world.
From the Paper "To truly understand Socrates' horror of the unexamined life, one must turn to his allegory of the cave. In this story he refers to the world as a cave in which men are prisoners. The sun beyond the cave mouth shines across objects and actors on the outside and cast shadows on the wall. These shadows are what the men in the cave, without examination, call reality. The man who has truly examined life is like one who has stepped outside the cave, and there is nothing that could convince him to go back: "if they were in the habit of conferring honors among themselves on those who were quickest to observe the passing shadows ...do you think that he would care for such honors and glories, or envy the possessors of them?""
Abstract Through an examination and analysis of a quotation taken from "The Apology, regarding the argument Socrates made at the time of his trial for corrupting the youth, this paper attempts to explain what Socrates meant by 'human wisdom'. The paper tells us that Socrates believed that only God knows what wisdom is and that the wisest people are those that realize that wisdom is useless.
From the Paper "The real meaning behind this text, as will be argued in this study, reveals that Socrates was making sarcastic irony to the court that was judging him. The oracle was asked if Socrates was the wisest man in the world, and it claimed that he was. Socrates ultimately did not believe that he was wise at all, and actually knew very little, as we can presuppose he thought of his accusers. This then is Socrates' "human wisdom": He does not have the belief that he knows things, which he doesn't know. Socrates says he is wiser than other people only in this respect. We can argue that he does not have the false conceit of impressive knowledge, which the court claims erroneously to have over him."
Abstract This paper analyzes the meaning of Plato's dialogues, "The Apology", "Meno", and "Euthyphro" with respect to Plato's beliefs on a variety of issues, as illustrated by Socrates. The issues discussed include piety, learning, the soul, philosophy and others.
From the Paper "The dialectic or question and answer method of arriving at knowledge and learning is used in Plato's dialogues .Sophists philosophers who were paid for their rhetoric existed in Plato's and Socrates' time and relied upon rhetoric. Plato through Socrates vehemently rejects rhetoric as nothing more than opinionated words. In "Gorgias" Plato objects to rhetoric because he believes it offers no real knowledge but only opinions. As Socrates tells Gorgias who puts up a fierce defense of rhetoric as the highest art."
Abstract This paper discusses the "Apology" by Plato. It describes the court case where Socrates is being charged with corrupting the youth. The paper goes on the elaborate that in doing so, it is seen that Socrates is facing a moral dilemma. This dilemma is elaborated on, as well as the consequences of his choices.
From the Paper "The next related point is that laws can change. Laws are not fixed and do not remain the same forever. This means that if someone has a problem with a law, there is an opportunity for that person to take action that can result in the law being changes. This is an opportunity that Socrates had. As noted, he was aware that he was disobeying moral laws. However, he also acted as if the laws did not exist and failed to recognize the reality of them. In doing so, he lost his opportunity to change them. In doing so, he also rejected the fact that he does exist as part of a larger system and ignored the fact that the laws still exist for everyone else, regardless of whether he accepts them."
