In this way Plato indicates that he was an eyewitness of the trial and therefore was in the best possible position to write about it. The Apology of Socrates (Greek: , Apologa Sokrtous; Latin: Apologia Socratis), written by Plato, is a Socratic dialogue of the speech of legal self-defence which Socrates (469-399 BC) spoke at his trial for impiety and corruption in 399 BC.. 35E There are many reasons, men of Athens, why I am not troubled by this outcome, 36A that you voted to convict me, and what has happened is not unexpected. Therefore if in fact, as you say, I hold that there are divinities, and the divinities are gods, this would constitute what I refer to as your riddling and jesting, saying that I do not believe in gods, and then again that I believe in gods, since I do actually believe in divinities. Why didnt Socrates try to escape his death sentence? For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! [7]He was my friend 21A from my youngest years, and a friend of your democracy too, and he joined you in your recent exile and returned along with you. "Crito" discusses respect for the law. You will have far more 39D people holding you to account, people whom I restrained until now, although you have been unaware of this. For it is impossible to bring them here, or to cross-examine any of them. But you could never persuade anyone possessed of even a little intelligence, that the same person can believe in divine forces and matters divine, and yet 28A at the same time believe neither in divinities, nor gods, nor heroes. Purchase a copy of this text (not necessarily the same edition) from Amazon.com. So I must recount my wanderings to you, and the labours I undertook, only to find the oracle irrefutable. The second edition of Five Dialogues presents G. M. A. Grube's distinguished translations, as revised by John Cooper for Plato, Complete Works. No, once we had come out of the Council chamber the other four left for Salamis and fetched Leon, while I left and went home. [5] Evenus was a 5th-century BC Greek philosopher. This led to fury in Athens, and after considerable debate in the Council a number of the commanders of the fleet were tried and executed. Nevertheless, I shall not parade any of them here before you and beg you to vote for my acquittal. Well then, why wont I do any of this? How you have felt, O men of Athens, at hearing the speeches of my accusers, I cannot tell; but I know that their persuasive words almost made me forget who I was - such was the effect of them; and yet they have hardly spoken a word of truth. Romano Guardini & Basil Wrighton - 1948 - Sheed & Ward. And indeed, most important would be to examine the people there, just like the people here, find out who among them is wise, and who thinks that he is when he is not. But now it has not opposed me at all in this matter, not in a single word, or deed. Well, I am presuming you agree since you wont answer. Platos speech represents his creative attempt to defend Socrates and his way of life and to condemn those who voted to kill him. So I must simply fight with shadows in my own defence, and conduct a cross-examination to which no one responds. Full search Yes, surely this rumour and talk would not have arisen unless, by your conduct, you stood out from everyone else, unless you were behaving differently from most people. Plato's Apology Version date: 01 Jan 2023 17A How you, men of Athens, have been affected by my accusers, I do not know. Are you saying that I teach them to believe in some gods, and that I myself actually believe in gods, and am not a total atheist, and unjust in that sense? Apology of Socrates and Crito, with Extracts fromm the Phaedo and Symposium, and from Xenophon's Memorabilia, The Collected Dialogues of Plato, Including the Letters, Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns (editors), Plat; G. M. A. Grube (Translator); John M. Cooper (Revised by), Harvard Classics Volume 2: The Apology, Phaedo, and Crito; The Golden Sayings; The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Plato: Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Symposium, Republic, The Trial and Death of Socrates: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Death Scene from Phaedo, Plato; G. M. A. Grube (Translator); John M. Cooper (Revised by), Philosophizing with Socrates: An Introduction to the Study of Philosophy. But in my case, this is the same as the other suggestion, for I do not have money with which to pay the fine. Mandatory reading for PHL100Y1Y, Intro to Philosophy; at least it was for my professor's class. I see Paralius, son of Demodocus, whose brother was Theages; 34A and here is Adeimantus, the son of Ariston, and this is his brother, Plato; and there is Aeantodorus and his brother, Apollodorus. And by Zeus, Meletus, tell us this besides. for a customized plan. Meno. His agreement with Plato about these matters assures us that they are not fabrications. This technique gradually garnered him many powerful enemies who did their best to poison public opinion against him. Commentary on the Apology of Socrates - Friesian For a juror is not there to bestow favours in matters of justice, but to give judgements, and he has sworn not to show favour to people he prefers, but to deliver judgements in accordance with the laws. Overall. What does it mean? I hope that Meletus charges are never so numerous as to make me do that. Yet although I have never been any mans teacher, if anyone wishes to listen to me as I speak and go about my business, I begrudge that to no one, old or young. And I also say to these very people, perhaps you think, gentlemen, I have been convicted by being at a loss for the sort of words that would have persuaded you, had I believed I should do and say anything at all to be acquitted of this charge. The Trial and Death of Socrates : Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, death Five Dialogues : Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo Long before Aristophanes wrote about him, Socrates had acquired a reputation among his fellow citizens because he spent his days attempting to fulfill his divine mission to cross-examine them and to puncture their confident belief that they possessed knowledge of the most important matters. Well, I should read out their charge as if they were the accusers. For in general, they are more blessed than those here, and at that stage they are immortal for all time, if what is said is actually true. In fact, not one of them is true, and if you have heard from anyone that I undertake to educate people and charge money 19E for doing so, that is not true either, although I would regard this too as a fine accomplishment, if someone were able to educate people, as Gorgias of Leontini does, Prodicus of Ceos too, and Hippias of Elis. 5 out of 5 stars 4.8 out of 5.0 5 Stars 277 4 Stars 21 3 Stars . If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. As for me, they spoke so persuasively that they almost made me forget myself, and yet they have hardly spoken one word of truth. The Athenians, like all Greeks in the ancient world, expressed their piety by participating in festivals, making sacrifices, visiting shrines, and the like. For in truth, men of Athens, this is how matters stand. Here, as in so many parts of his speech, Socrates treats his day in court as an opportunity to counter-indict his accusers and his fellow citizens (those, at any rate, who voted against him) for the way they lead their lives. Please wait while we process your payment. Despite a brilliant defence, Socrates cannot fight the main accusation, which is to corrupt the youth by making them think and question a form of immutability in power and beliefs. A number of new or. 40B Yet the gods sign did not oppose me as I left my home this morning, nor as I was coming up here to the court, nor in anything I was going to say in my speech. Yes, he may perhaps put me to death, exile me, or deprive me of my rights, and although he probably thinks these are great evils, and others presumably think so too, I do not think so. It is characteristic of his entire speech that he brings into the open how contemptuous he is of Athenian civic life and his fellow citizens. Yes, you should tell one another if any of you have ever heard me discoursing on such matters to any extent, great or small. $24.99 Many men in his position would conclude their speech by appealing to the jury's compassion, pointing out that they have young children, and pleading for mercy. They did know things I did not know, and in this respect they were wiser than me. . What in fact is the allegation that has given rise to this slander against me? Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! For this is the very excellence of a judge, while the excellence of an orator is to speak the truth. Who is there who is knowledgeable in excellence of this kind, human and civic excellence? Tuy nhin, t liu m ng Nguyn Vn Khoa s dng li thuc hng c k v thiu s ch ng (n c vic ng dng bn Anh ng ca Benjamin Jowett, mt bn Anh ng cc k thiu xc tn), v cng tht ng tic khi ng cng khng dng n nhng bi kho cu trong phng din trit ln ng vn (philology) v Platn ni chung v nhng i thoi trong sch ny ni ring. Plato, Apology, section 38a - Perseus Digital Library Plato's Apology is one of the most famous and admired texts in world literature. That is what I am saying, that you do not believe in gods at all. with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Anyway, the supposedly impious beliefs he is accused of holding--e.g. What have I just finished reading? Another review, another day). Well then, shall I propose exile as the penalty? This is what he does for Athens: he keeps people from becoming intellectually lazy and forces them to be self-critical. For people who wish to revile you will indeed say I am wise, even if I am not. Apology, in full Apology of Socrates, early dialogue by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, purporting to represent the speech given by Socrates, Plato's teacher, at the former's trial in Athens in 399 bce in response to accusations of impiety and corrupting the young. It is not out of defiance, men of Athens, or 34E any disrespect for you. For the fact of the matter is that I am appearing before the court now, for the first time, at seventy years of age, so the language of the place is simply foreign to me. 22 PLATO Indeed when I heard this, I reflected upon it as follows. And Socrates, in the course of questioning them, would reveal that on these matters they didn't know what they were talking about. Socrates analysis of the hatred he has incurred is one part of a larger theme that he dwells on throughout his speech. Republic (Grube Edition) - Plato, G. M. A. Grube - Google Books For after the politicians I went to the poets the tragedians, the 22B dithyrambists and the rest expecting in this case to show myself up, blatantly, as being more ignorant than they. . #CommissionEarned Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vol. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. A masterpiece? I reckoned as I was going that I am wiser than this man, for it is likely that neither of us knows anything noble and good, but he thinks he knows something, when he does not know, while I do not actually know. Background: Why was Socrates put on trial? For I never thought the difference in the votes was going to be so small, I thought it would be larger. (Socrates himself wrote nothing.) Answer, my man, for I have not asked you a difficult question. The only people who delight in his conversation are the young and wealthy, who have the leisure to spend their days with him. But if I corrupt them unintentionally, you should not, by law, bring me to court over a mistake like this. Plato. Unfortunately, there is no way to prove that Plato was striving to achieve this kind and degree of accuracy. It offers what many scholars believe is a fairly reliable account of what the Athenian philosopher Socrates (469 BCE - 399 BCE) said in court on the day that he was tried and condemned to death on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo book by Plato - ThriftBooks In any case, I can see a lot of them here. Of greater importance is the fact that the two Apologys agree in many details. Westacott, Emrys. Dear Meletus, do you think that you are accusing Anaxagoras? Even so, some of what Socrates' detractors called his "arrogance" comes through. What alternative penalty shall I propose to you, men of Athens? If I had money, I might have proposed as large a fine as I could afford to pay, for that would have done me no harm. Now I would have been acting terribly, men of Athens, 28E if I had remained at my post, just like anyone else, running the risk of being killed, when my commanders, chosen by yourselves, placed me in the ranks at Potidaea, Amphipolis and Delium,[10]yet deserted my post for fear 29A of death or for any other reason, when the god, as I believed and understood, positioned me where I had to live, practising philosophy and examining myself and others. [4] These are three notable Greek Sophists of the 5th/4th-century. And I abide by my penalty, and so do they. He rejects the idea of exile. Well, Meletus, perhaps those in the Assembly, the assemblymen, corrupt the young? So, being convinced that I have not wronged anyone else, I cannot possibly wrong myself and say that I deserve something bad and propose such a penalty for myself. First and foremost is Crito, a man of my own age and deme, 33E the father of Critobolus here; then Lysanias of Sphettos, the father of this man, Aeschines; Antiphon of Cephissus too, the father of Epigenes. Plato's Apology Commentary for Plato's Apology (21.3 mb, .pdf, 1st ed., 02Dec22) The commentary linked above is is now available in paperback on Amazon. [12] This refers to the Thirty Tyrants, a brutal oligarchy that was established in Athens in 404 BC after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War. But I do know that it is bad, and a disgrace, to act unjustly and to disobey a superior, be he god or human. This outrageous suggestion probably sealed his fate. Do you think this is also the case with horses, that everyone makes them better, 25B while there is one person who corrupts them? Do you agree or not? But, some of you 34C may well take offence when he recalls how he himself, while contesting a lesser charge than this one, begged and implored the jurors, in floods of tears, parading his own children before them, other members of his household too and lots of his friends, just to arouse as much pity as he could, and now he finds that I do nothing of the sort, even though I am apparently facing the utmost peril. And his brother, who is here, will be your witness of this, since the man himself is dead. (5). Current location in this text. In effect, then, Socrates admits that his understanding of piety is radically different from the conventional conception. Book Review: "Apology" by Plato; Grube and Cooper (2002) "Plato's 'Apology'." People might be quite expert about some particular thing such as military strategy, or boatbuilding; but they always thought themselves expert on many other things, particularly on deep moral and political questions. So, the Republic (rather, "On Society"). But Meletus, you really must have been testing us out here when you brought this charge, or else you were at a loss for a genuine injustice to charge me with. He prides himself on the fact that he will say nothing to curry favour with the jurors or to conceal his attitude of superiority to themeven though he realizes that this is likely to lead some of them to vote against him out of resentment. And if I also go on to say the highest good for a man is to engage in discourse every day about excellence, and the other issues on which you have heard me discoursing, and examining myself and others, and that for a human being an unexamined life is not worth living, you are even less convinced by what I say. "Plato's 'Apology'." Socrates is painfully aware that he is a hated figure and that this is what has led to the accusations against him. Far from it. From this process of investigation, men of Athens, I have incurred a great deal 23A of hatred of the most troublesome and grievous kind, from which many slanders have arisen, and I am called wise, for those who are present always assume I am wise in those matters in which I refute someone else. I was not only enlightened by them, but moved as well in certain parts, more by Socrates' friends than the man himself. It should be done through instruction and persuasion. But Socrates is defiant. Poor guy, Ygritte wouldn't stop giving him hell. But although that is how matters stand, as I declare, gentlemen, it is not easy to convince you. THE TRIAL & DEATH OF SOCRATES Plato's Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Death Scene from Phaedo . Are you, at your age, so much wiser than I am at my age, that you have recognised that the bad people always do some harm to those closest 25E to themselves, and the good do some good, while I am in such depths of ignorance that I do not even realise that if I make any of my fellows wicked, I run the risk of being harmed by him? So I propose that amount, and they will be your sureties for the money. Volume 2 of the set contains 5 works from 3 authors: the "Apology," "Phaedo," and "Crito" by Plato, the "Golden Sayings" by Epictetus, and the "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. For these people also say a great deal, and it is beautiful too, but they know nothing about what they are saying. Although short, it offers an unforgettableportrait of Socrates, who comes across as smart, ironic, proud, humble, self-assured, and fearless in the face of death. You simply could not do it. And I shall now depart, sentenced by you to death, while they will depart, sentenced by truth to degeneracy and injustice. He criticizes the Assembly for its illegal actions and the Athenian courts for the ease with which matters of justice are distorted by emotional pleading. So you really should accept, as I say, that there have been two groups of accusers, those who accused me recently, and the earlier ones whom I am now describing. Book. For I presume you have considered this, since you have two sons. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Although he fought bravely for Athens during the war, Socrates was closely associated with characters like Alcibiades who some blamed for Athens' ultimate defeat. Used . Although in none of Platos dialogues is Plato himself a conversational partner or even a witness to a conversation, in the Apology Socrates says that Plato is one of several friends in the audience. But I hope that small break down will help many people when answering a question at school, which I might have done before as well, when I have forgone my reading. Your current position in the text is marked in blue. [17] One mina was equal to 100 drachmas. The multisidedness of Platos portrait adds to its verisimilitude and should increase confidence in him as a source of understanding of the historical Socrates. On this basis Meletus has proceeded against me, Anytus too and Lycon Meletus being angry on the poets behalf, Anytus on behalf of the craftsmen and politicians, Lycon 24A on behalf of the rhetoricians. 30E For if you kill me, you will not easily find someone else like me, who literally even if it sounds comical to say so is attached to the city by god, as though it were a great, thoroughbred steed, sluggish due to its size, that needs to be woken up by a sort of gadfly. But of the many lies they told, there was one that amazed me more than any, when they said that you must be on your guard lest you be deceived 17B by me because I am a formidable speaker. For this reason, philosophy may come to be seen as a dangerous and disreputable pursuit. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Yet, once you realize the importance of tracking Socrates and the speakers, it is an interesting way to experience philosophical ideas. TheApology by Plato I do not know, men of Athens, how my accusers affected you; as for me, I was almost carried away in spite of myself, so persuasively did they speak. The Death of Socrates an Interpretation of the Platonic Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo. So be it. Or again, wouldnt any of you give anything to meet with Orpheus, Musaeus, Hesiod and Homer? Socrates of athens: Euthyphro, socrates' defense, crito and the death scene from phaedo. No, their intention 41E was to harm me. Now someone might perhaps say, Are you not ashamed, Socrates, that you have followed such a course as this, and now risk being executed as a result? To him I would respond, justifiably, What you are saying is not right, sir, if you think a man of any merit at all should reckon his chances of living or dying whenever he engages in action, and not consider this alone: whether he is acting justly or unjustly, doing the work of a good 28C man or a bad man. For, according to your argument, all of the demi-gods who met their death at Troy would be worthless, including the son of Thetis, who was so contemptuous of danger once the alternative was disgrace, that when his mother, a goddess, said to him when he was eager to slay Hector she said something like this I think My son, if you are going to avenge the murder of your friend, Patroclus, and slay Hector, you yourself shall be slain, says she, for straightaway after Hectors death, destiny awaits you too. But when he heard this he set death and danger at naught, and was much more afraid of living as a bad 28D man who does not avenge his friends, so he says, May I die straightaway, as soon as I have inflicted justice upon this unjust man, so that I remain not here by the curved ships, a laughingstock and a burden to the earth.[9]Do you imagine that he thought about death or danger? But, as any reader of the work can see, Plato is at the same time using the trial and death of Socrates to condemn Athens, to call upon his readers to reject the conventional life that Athens would have preferred Socrates to lead, and to choose instead the life of a Socratic philosopher. Dont you say that I corrupt them by teaching them this? It is of course entirely so, whether yourself and Anytus confirm it or deny it. The third edition of The Trial and Death of Socrates presents G. M. A. Grube's distinguished translations, as revised by John Cooper for Plato, Complete Works. Or do they all make them better too? 1. And you should not be angry with me for speaking the truth, for no one who genuinely opposes yourselves, or any other multitude at all, preventing numerous injustices and illegalities from taking place 32A in a city, will be safe. So I responded to myself and the oracle that it was better for me to remain as I was. Athens won the battle, but a storm prevented those who were tasked with rescuing the survivors of the 25 ships that had been stricken during the naval battle from carrying out their duties. 21B Now consider my reasons for saying all this, for I am going to set out for you the origin of the slander against me. What about imprisonment? He is the author or co-author of several books, including "Thinking Through Philosophy: An Introduction.". There is nothing more appropriate, men of Athens, than free meals in the Prytaneion. For mark my words, if you put me to death, being the sort of person I say that I am, you will harm yourselves more than you harm me. PDF [Plato, G. M. A. Grube] Five Dialogues(BookFi.org) - Jason Tham, Ph.D. There is certainly nothing apologetic about the speech. Mandatory reading for PHL100Y1Y, Intro to Philosophy; at least it was for my professor's class. Lamb. But that is not the only accusation Socrates brings forward against his city and its politics. For this they deserve criticism. Trans. 9.1", "denarius"). Isnt this the case? There certainly is, he replied. So, the Republic (rather, "On Society"). And Socrates had at one time been friendly with some of them. Grube (Translator) 4.11. . Reading Response Guide--Plato's APOLOGY 17a-42a Grube trans. .doc Plato's 'Apology' - ThoughtCo Enter a Perseus citation to go to another section or work. In fact, even as it stands, I think I have escaped Meletus, and not only escaped him, but it is obvious to anyone that if Anytus and Lycon had not come forward to accuse me too, he would even have been fined 36B a thousand drachmas for not securing one fifth of the votes. So if I must propose a penalty I justly 37A deserve, this is what I propose, free meals in the Prytaneion. For its powerful advocacy of the examined life and for its provocative condemnation of Athenian democracy, Platos Apology of Socrates (the Greek term apologia, from which apology in the relevant sense is derived, means defense) is universally regarded as one of the central documents of Western thought and culture. Well, if any of you are in this situation, and I am not actually maintaining that you are, but if you are, I think it would be reasonable for me to speak to this person and say, Best of men, I too have some family members for, as Homer puts it, I am not born of oak and rock, but of men, and so I have kinfolk and sons too, men of Athens, three of them, one already a young man, two still children.
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