Socrates (Defense), the Apology Essay - 1014 Words

Socrates – â€Å"The Apology† or (Defense) Socrates had no written work, never had a job and there are questions of whether he was even literate. However, Plato was a student of Socrates and recorded what occurred at his death trial. Socrates asked lots of questions and made people with political power look stupid. At no time during his trial does he claim to be innocent. He (attacks his accuser instead) There were two types of charges brought against him. - The new or (Official) Charges – which is why he was brought to trial o â€Å"He corrupts the youth† o â€Å"He disses the Old Gods and tosses props (credits) to New Gods.† - Old Charges (Rumors/Not Official) o â€Å"He makes the weaker argument defeat†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Meteltus, you claim I corrupt the youth, correct? Meletus: Yep Socr: If you care so much about the youth, that you know who corrupts them, you must also know who helps them. Who is that? M: The Laws S: No, give me a name. How about the Judges? Do they benefit or corrupt the youth? M: Benefit S; The Jury? M: Benefit S: Audience? M: Benefit S: Rest of Athens? M: Benefit S: Everyone but me benefits the youth except me? M: Yup S; That is dope wacky. There is no way that makes sense. How do you best train a horse with one or a few or with several? With one or a few of course, it is impossible that only one person corrupts. Meletus you obviously only care about hurting me and not helping the youh. S; Meletus, don’t you agree that people you treat well treat you well in erturn? And those you harm will come to harm you? So if I were corrupting the youth wouldn’t that come back to haun me. Either I have made an unwitty mistake or I am crazy. Either way I should have been talked to first instead of being brought to trial. All you care about is hurting me. 2nd Charge Disses Old Gods, tosses props to New Gods S: Meletus, le me be sure that I understand this charge – do you claim I believe in New gods or in No Gods at all? M: You do not believe in any Gods at all! [Here Meletus is trying to make Socrates look bad] S: So I wonder what could ‘New Gods’ be? If New Gods are not really Gods, the can be people, so maybe they are like fairies and spirits. CanShow MoreRelatedSocrates Defense Against The Criticism Of Plato s Apology2077 Words   |  9 PagesAfter the introductory remarks, Plato’s Apology continues with Socrates’ defense against the â€Å"First Accusations,† because his accusers are many, and of all ages: the older accusers have persuaded the youth to speak and think badly of Socrates, and given that they were at an age of influence, the lesson stuck. 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