Transcript The Apology - TeacherWeb

By: Plato
THE APOLOGY
THE DEATH OF SOCRATES
What are your
observations?
What can you infer based What do you predict “The
off of your observations? Apology” will be about?
SOCRATES 469-399 B.C.
“The only thing I know is that I know nothing”
- Socrates
 Foremost thinkers of his time
 Wandered the streets unbathed and dressed in
rags questioning people about their ideas and
values
 Compared himself to a gladfly because he knew
he was annoying.
 Teacher who refused to receive money
 Method was to teach by questioning
 Socrates argued with people

Took apart what they knew and revealed their
ignorance (Socratic Method)
SOCRATES’ WISDOM

The Delphic Oracle: "There is no person living wiser than
Socrates."
 Socrates interpreted this response as indicating he was
wise because he knows he was not wise.

If knowledge can be learned, so can virtue. Thus, virtue
can be taught.

The unexamined life is not worth living. One must seek
knowledge and wisdom before private interests.

We seek the good, but fail to achieve it by ignorance or
lack of knowledge as to how to obtain it.
STORY BEHIND “THE APOLOGY”

Trial occurred in 399 B.C.

People in Athens were threatened by
him because he was a skillful speaker

Socrates is on trial for two
accusations:


Socrates was found guilty of impiety
(not worshipping the gods the state
worships), corruption of the youth
(infusing into the young persons the
spirit of criticism of Athenian society)
During the trial, he was sentenced to
death
PLATO 428-354 B.C.
“Is there a perfect world?”- Plato

His writing has survived practically undamaged and
more completely than any other ancient Greek writer

Studied under Socrates for eight years

Since Socrates never write down his teachings, Plato did
it for him

Wrote down Socrates’ discussions so he wouldn’t be
forgotten (“The Apology”)
PLATO’S INFLUENCE

Considered the most influential thinker in the
history of the Western culture

Wrote The Apology (the defense of Socrates),
the Crito (on Socrates' willingness to die), and
Phaedo (on immortality)

Focused his energy and study on The Academy
 First
University in the Western world
ANCIENT ATHENIAN COURT SYSTEM






All actions are brought by private individuals
 No formal prosecutors or district attorneys
Power is in the hands of the jury (501 jurors)
 Free adult male citizens who show up
Trial procedure
 Individuals make their speeches
 The defendant makes his/her speech (where “The Apology”
begins)
After the defense, the jury votes innocent or guilty
 Only majority is needed (Socrates is convicted with only 30 more
votes)
The individuals propose a punishment that is fitting
 Socrates gets the death penalty
The defendant can propose an alternative punishment
 Socrates was condemned to death