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Ignorance In Plato's Apology

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In Plato’s Apology, Socrates discusses the notion of individuals being unable to willingly do harm to others due to the fact that people are naturally inclined to do good, not harm. However, he argues that if people do something wrong, it is likely the result of ignorance. In that case, he suggests that the solution to this issue is education, not some form of punishment. In this essay, it will be argued that Socrates’ remedy for wrongdoings done out of ignorance is logical and correct. First, it is important to note the definition of ignorance, which is a lack of knowledge or information. If education is the practice of giving knowledge to others, then it is logical to reason that education is the solution to ignorance, filling in the gap where knowledge should be. Therefore, it is fair to say that teaching youth the difference between right and wrong is the correct way to ensure that people do not …show more content…

Now if I corrupt them unwillingly, the law does not require you to bring people to court for such unwilling wrongdoings, but to get hold of them privately, to instruct them and exhort them; for clearly, if I learn better, I shall cease to do what I am doing unwillingly.” Here, Socrates is trying to convince us of the fact that he believes he unwillingly corrupted the youth, because he believes that people do not intentionally do harm; evil is the product of ignorance, not unwillingness. He did not intend to corrupt them, simply provide them with his knowledge, and he viewed education as the best way to ensure that his students would not do wrong, even by accident. By this logic, he is completely correct that education and enlightenment are necessary to resolve a wrongdoing; one should not be punished for being ignorant; they should be taught to know what is right

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Plato’s Apology is in the words of Socrates. The apology explains what Socrates though of death as he awaited his death after being condemned for not believing in God. He believed after death, one would either go to another world or be in a state of nothingness. He had the theory of death being a place where one would learn about life and talk to people that no longer walk the Earth. He supports his argument that death is a gain by explaining that he, Socrates, will get to speak to famous poets and past heroes.

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Meletus claims that Socrates does corrupt them intentionally. Therefore, Socrates states that if he intentionally harmed anyone, he must want to be harmed in return, since corruption would make people evil, and that these people would in turn harm him. Meletus then admits that nobody would want to be injured. At this point, Socrates can conclude that he did not intentionally corrupt the youth, since he would not want to be harmed. Socrates then states, “If my offence in unintentional, the law has no cognizance of unintentional offences.”

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