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Analyzing Plato´s Account Of Socrates's Trial

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As children, we are continuously told what to believe and never question it. Through Plato's account of Socrates' defense during his trial, one can truly understand what message he was trying to convey, and why he was willing to die for his beliefs. Socrates believed that God was behind him in trying to get his community to understand what they believe and why. Socrates, unlike most, has the mentality to understand "... that God only is wise…[and] he is only using [his] name by way of illustration…” (lines75-77). Socrates views his job on Earth a puppet for God. ”...I am in utter poverty by reason of my devotion to the god" (line 83). This grants Socrates’ accusers with insight on his devotion to God. "And so I go about the world, obedient to the god, and search and make inquiry into the wisdom of anyone…who appears to be wise… [and I] show him that he is not wise" (lines 78-81). Socrates …show more content…

"I found that the men most in repute were all but the most foolish; and that others less esteemed were really wiser and better" (lines 70-71). Circumstances like these lead Socrates to the conclusion and understanding of who is really wise. He comprehended that ones who are deemed wise are not and vise versa. This understanding accommodates and is applicable to most of the Athenian community and one can understand this from Socrates’ many devoted years of inquisition. He did this for a desired deduction of peoples wisdom, mentality, and grasp of personal beliefs. ”… I myself possess the wisdom which I find wanting in others…"(lines 74-75). Socrates has a vivacious attitude and thirst for wisdom. Not only is he not shy about this, he commonly reveals this through his bizarre ideas, actions, and

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One of Socrates’ friends, Chaerephon, asked if there was anyone wiser than Socrates, to which the oracle replied, “no one” (21a, 85). Socrates, knowing he was not very wise, sought to investigate the claim (21b, 85). Already, the reader can begin to understand how an examined life, is a good life. Socrates is unwilling to accept something as truth, just because it is said by a person in a position of power and respect. He chooses to investigate the claim, to find an understanding of how it can be that someone believes he is the wisest person.

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In the Apology by Plato, Socrates defends himself against his accusers in court, and begins by declaring that he is not an especially great speaker but that he only speaks the truth. In this, he tells his accusers that they should not fear him but only the truth itself. In the depiction of Socrates' last speech, he makes a bold claim that he has been deemed the wisest man in Athens by the god of Delphi ( Plato, ., Jowett, n.d. ). He goes on to explain that while he searched for those that thought themselves wise,

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He clarifies that his conduct originates from an insight by the prophet at Delphi who guaranteed that he was the wisest of all men. Perceiving his obliviousness in most common undertakings, Socrates reasoned that he should be more clever than other men just in that he realizes that he knows nothing. Keeping in mind the end goal to spread this exceptional shrewdness, Socrates clarifies that he thought of it as his obligation to address assumed "insightful" men and to uncover their false intelligence as obliviousness. These exercises earned him much esteem among the adolescent of Athens, yet much contempt and outrage from the general population he humiliated. He refers to their scorn as the purpose behind his being put on trial.

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He claims that in his ventures to find someone wiser than himself, he began examining everyone; friends and strangers. He claims that every person whom he met who was not wise only supported further the oracle’s claim of his superiority and so he found it is his duty to show that person that they were not wise. He claims that he did this, not for his own benefit, but to be a devout follower of the gods. Socrates then begins to explain how the young boys who were rich and had much free time enjoyed standing around, watching him cross-examine the pretenders, exposing their ignorance.

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Socrates claims that his "accusers say I'm clever, but no, I'm just honest" showing the difference between him and them(17b). Socrates declares that "my only wisdom is admitting what I don't know" even after he earned the reputation for being wise(21d). When he is convicted and charged with the crime of corrupting the children even after he says "I don't corrupt the young, or only do so unintentionally" he told his accusers that "I do not reject my conviction because I expected it(25e+35e). While Socrates was free he was known for questioning people so after being convicted he told them "I could question the dead in Hades to find wisdom" realizing that he would not be able to find it where he is(41b). Again showing how death did not fear him, and how Socrates thinks that he will join the underworld as one of the greats.

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