Study Questions for Plato, Apology
The page numbers (like: ‘p.20’)
refer to the pages of the Princeton Readings in Political Thought. Numbers with letters (like: ‘32a’) refer
to the pages of the standard Greek text (the letters to parts of those pages),
and are included in most translations. I have provided them just in case you
are using a different translation or edition.
Although this text is traditionally
titled “The Apology,” it is not an apology in the modern sense. It is Plato’s literary representation of the
speeches Socrates made at his trial. “Socrates’
Defense” is less misleading. But it is
not a transcript of his actual remarks.
It was written by Plato, Socrates’ most famous student. Scholars believe, however, that it was
written and published shortly after the actual events and is probably reasonably
faithful in its representation of Socrates’ tone and arguments.
Socrates would have been tried
before a large group (501 men), which would function both as a jury to
determine guilt or innocence and as a judge to assign a penalty. Once a defendant was found guilty, the
prosecutor and the defendant would each propose a penalty, and the jury would
vote to select one of them. (This generally
encouraged both sides to be moderate in their proposals.) The text is in three parts (though the divisions
are not marked in the Princeton Readings, nor in the Greek original). The
largest part (pp. 19-35; 17a-35d) is Socrates defense. The jury then finds him guilty, and Meletus
proposes a penalty of death. Socrates
counter-proposal begins with the first paragraph starting on p. 35 (“There are
a great many reasons …”) and runs to the top of p. 37 (35d-38d). The third part begins at the top of p. 39 (“Well,
gentlemen, for the sake of ...”) and represents Socrates’ parting speech to the
jury after he has been condemned to death.
Note: These questions are provided as a guide for your
reading and reflecting. I do not expect
you to write out and hand in answers to them.
- In his defense, Socrates
first responds to earlier, longstanding informal charges against him. What
are these charges? (p.21; 19b and 19e)
- What do you think is meant by
“he … makes the weaker argument defeat the stronger”?
- What is the point, at the
bottom of p. 21 (20b), of comparing Callias' sons to colts or calves?
- What sort of knowledge is
Socrates talking about when he says, at the top of p. 22 (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? (pp.22-24) 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? (pp.23-24; 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? (Middle of p.25; 24b)
- What is the point of talking
about horses at 25b (middle of page 26)?
- What is Socrates' argument (pp.26-27;
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 (p.28
to the top of p.29; 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? (p.29-30; 28b ff.)
- What more general fault does
fear of death fall under according to Socrates?
- What is Socrates' argument (bottom
of p.29 to top of p.30; 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 stops 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? (p.31;
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 the top of p.32: "The
true champion of justice, if he intends to survive even for a short time,
must necessarily confine himself to private life and leave politics alone."
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.)
- Near the top of p.33 (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? (p.33-34; 33d-34b)
- According to Socrates, how
would engaging in an emotional appeal for mercy convict him of the very
impiety he is charged with? (p.34-35; 34d-35d)
- On p.36 (38a), we get Socrates’ most famous statement:
the unexamined life is not worth living. What does this mean?
Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you live an unexamined life?
- On pp.38-39 (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.