Analysis Of Plato's The Apology Of Socrates

Plato's “The Apology of Socrates” is a speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new idols, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates' speech, however, is by no means an "apology" in our modern understanding of the word; the name of the dialogue derives from the Greek "apologia," which translates as a defense, or a speech made in defense of the convicted. Thus, in this reading, Socrates attempts to defend himself and his conduct; certainly not to apologize for it.

For the most part, Socrates speaks in a very plain, conversational manner towards all his charges that Meletus and Athens has filed against him. He explains that he has no experience with the law

His writings explored justice, beauty, and equality, and contained discussions in aesthetics, political philosophy, theology, cosmology, epistemology and the philosophy of language. Plato founded the Academy in Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world. Due to a lack of primary sources from the time that Socrates and Plato lived, much of Plato's life has been constructed by scholars through his writings and the writings of colleagues and classical historians. As with many young boys of his social class, Plato was most likely taught by some of Athens' finest educators (including Socrates). “The Apology of Socrates” was written to keep the trial against Socrates alive for centuries to read and study the justice system of Athens. Plato believes that his teacher, Socrates, was trialed because he was “evil” and needed to be killed from society. The “apology” Socrates presents himself as respected and mistreated due to the emotions of the Athenian

“Such, then, is the charge. Let us e amine each point in this charge. Meletus says, then, that I commit injustice by corrupting the young. But I, men of Athens, reply that ids Meletus who is guilty of playing around with serious matters, of lightly bringing people to trial, and of professing to be seriously concerned about things he has never cared about at all-and I’ll try to prove this” (Page 654). Socrates question Meletus personal thoughts of him; by bringing evidence of the memories the two men shared with each other. Meletus wants Socrates to be executed because Meletus has crossed Socrates at some point in time before the trail. Socrates accuses of Meletus of breaking his oath by lying to the courts. I learned that before the trail, the jury has an opinion upon one-man’s thoughts with no concrete visual evidence towards the defendant. Socrates did not have visual evidence, only the accusers that wanted the “wise” man convicted. The 21st Century Judicial system is very different than the Athenian period Judicial period. Before a suspect is taken into custody, there must be evidence to prove the suspect is guilty. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is usually the primary key to getting someone charged and then convicted. Socrates DNA (the evidence from Meletus and his accusers) was the judgements of his charges from the jury and the social class that he is