Study Questions for Plato, Apology
Numbers like ‘32a’ refer to the numbers in the margins of
the text. These refer to pages of the standard Greek text (and the letters to
parts of those pages), and can be used with any translation.
- In his defense, Socrates
first responds to earlier, longstanding informal charges against him. What
are these charges? (19b and 19e)
- What do you think is meant by
“he makes the worse into the stronger argument”?
- What is the point, at 20b, of
comparing Callias' sons to colts or calves?
- What sort of knowledge is
Socrates talking about when he says, at 20c, that he would be proud if he
had this knowledge, but he does not have it?
- How does Socrates interpret
the pronouncement of the Oracle of Delphi that no one is wiser than he?
(21-23) Do you think that the sort
of wisdom he claims to possess is really wisdom?
- What is the mistake that both
the poets and the craftsmen make? (22c-e)
Do you think that people in our own time, who are successful in one
way or another, might make the same mistake?
- What are the new charges
brought by Meletus and his associates? (24b)
- What is the point of talking
about horses at 25b?
- What is Socrates' argument
(25c-26a) for the claim that it is impossible that he corrupts the young willingly?
Is his argument convincing? Why or why not?
- What is Socrates argument
(27b-e) against the charge that he does not believe in gods? Is this argument convincing?
- Why is Socrates not ashamed
to be doing something dangerous? What, by the way, is the dangerous
thing he is doing? (28b ff.)
- What more general fault does
fear of death fall under according to Socrates?
- What is Socrates' argument
(29a-b) that one should not be afraid of death? Is his argument a
good one? Why or why not?
- Why won't Socrates accept
acquittal on the condition that he stop practicing philosophy?
- Socrates claims that by
convicting and executing him, the city will harm itself and that Socrates
will be unharmed. What are Socrates' reasons for this
claim? (30c-31c) Do you think this is a wise thing for Socrates to
say at his own trial? If not, think of how Socrates would reply to
you.
- At 32a: "A man who
really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public, life if he is
to survive for even a short time." Do you agree with Socrates
here? Is this true in some sorts of societies in particular?
Is it true in the USA today? (Maybe read "survive" in not
so literal a fashion.)
- At 33b Socrates says that he
cannot be held responsible for the conduct of those who have talked with
him or heard him speak. Why not?
Do you agree?
- How does Socrates use the
fact that none of the older relatives of the young men who have been
influenced by him are willing to testify against him to argue for his
innocence? (33d-34b)
- According to Socrates, how
would engaging in an emotional appeal for mercy convict him of the very
impiety he is charged with? (34d-35d)
- At 38a, we get Socrates’ most
famous quote: the unexamined life is not worth living. What does
this mean? Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you live an
unexamined life?
- At 40c-41c, Socrates gives an
argument that death may be a good thing. Reconstruct this
argument. Is he right? Why or why not?
- Socrates prefers death to
acting unjustly. Is this a standard we should hold ourselves to?
Why or why not?
- Do you think Socrates has
successfully answered his accusers? Explain.
- Would you vote to convict
Socrates and sentence him to death? Why or why not?
- Do you think Socrates
committed a form of suicide by behaving in the way he did in the trial?
Explain.