Socrates – “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 “He corrupts the youth” o “He disses the Old Gods and tosses props (credits) to New Gods.” - Old Charges (Rumors/Not Official) o “He makes the weaker argument defeat …show more content…

[God stuff like love, weather, everything] If fairies are not people and not Gods they must be children of Gods and how can I believe in God Stuff w/o believing in Gods?
[Socrates hope show Meletus & others are out to get him while avoiding the question]

Possible Test Question: Was this a Good defense or not and why?

S: I could bring my family and friends up here to plead my case, but I honestly don’t think I need to. I not only think I have done nothing wrong, but I also strongly believe that I am doing this city a favor. I am like a gadfly (horsefly) & Athens is like a horse. A horse will find a place it likes and will stay there unless bothered. Society has a tendency to rest in one state until a gadfly comes along. The gadfly makes the horse/city move to a better place. Though you initially disagreed w/ what I do. It is for good reason.

Jury comes back with GUILTY verdict w/ a sentence of Death.

Judges give Socrates a chance and asks what he thinks is a rightful punishment
Death – he doesn’t want to die
Banishment – he says he will do the same thing at another city and will have to go through this again.
Fine – he has no job
Lifetime of Free Food

Friends get together w/ Socrates and are like what are you doing?!?! And they gather together all the $ they can and present it as a payment for a fine.

Jury says no, death by Hemlock (poison)

All throughout Socrates life a tiny bell had gone off in his head when he made bad decisions