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The Apology
Socrates, as described in the Apology written by Plato, is very unhappy with Greek
society and hopes it can be changed. Defending himself in the court, he gives an impression of a
really smart person with good orator skills. He manages to build his defence without excusing
himself. He has to explain his behaviour in front of citizens of Athens and the court. People are
angry with him because they believe he says gods do not exist. Meletus also says that he corrupts
the youth. Socrates in turn says that he is only trying to show that people who say that they are
wise are in fact not and should not tell society what to do. He blames politicians, poets and
artisans for being ignorant, but saying the opposing. The reason he can say that is because the
god of Delhi said he is the wisest. Socrates does not believe that, so he tries to find someone who
is wiser than he is. Finally, when he fails to do so, he says that what the god was trying to say is
that “He among you is the wisest who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is really worth
nothing at all”. Everyone knows this phrase, “I know that I know nothing”. He then continues to
reject Meletus accusations. But he does it not by saying that he did not corrupt the youth of
Athens, but by saying that Meletus makes no sense.
Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
The Apology
Socrates, as described in the Apology written by Plato, is very unhappy with Greek
society and hopes it can be changed. Defending himself in the court, he gives an impression of a
really smart person with good orator skills. He manages to build his defence without excusing
himself. He has to explain his behaviour in front of citizens of Athens and the court. People are
angry with him because they believe he says gods do not exist. Meletus also says that he corrupts
the youth. Socrates in turn says that he is only trying to show that people who say that they are
wise are in fact not and should not tell society what to do. He blames politicians, poets and
artisans for being ignorant, but saying the opposing. The reason he can say that is because the
god of Delhi said he is the wisest. Socrates does not believe that, so he tries to find someone who
is wiser than he is. Finally, when he fails to do so, he says that what the god was trying to say is
that “He among you is the wisest who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is really worth
nothing at all”. Everyone knows this phrase, “I know that I know nothing”. He then continues to
reject Meletus accusations. But he does it not by saying that he did not corrupt the youth of
Athens, but by saying that Meletus makes no sense.
