Interpretation of Speech by Socrates: The Apology of Plato - Term Paper Example

15 November The Apology of Plato Apology by Plato is an interpretation of speech by Socrates which he presented in his defense before the Athenian council. Socrates was believed to be a philosopher and also served as soldier in Athenian army and was a part of many battles. It is believed that the words by Socrates were not recorded when he was speaking, but with the detailing of dialogues it is sure that Plato was present during the time of trial. As the title suggests it does not mean that it is a kind of apology and it derives from a Greek word “apologia” which means a speech made in defense (Plato 2013). This means that in The Apology Socrates try to defend himself. This is also important to consider that Plato was a student and an admirer of Socrates, which means that the dialogue can be biased in favor of someone whom he regarded as an idol. It is certain with the dialogues that Socrates was very much idealized by his students and the whole account of apology suggests that Plato was kind of loyal to his teacher. It is also possible that Socrates defensive speech might be much stronger that reported by Plato. The speech explains the life led by Socrates and what he did in his life. Addressing the men of Athens he speaks in a conversational manner explaining that he is not much experienced with the law courts and will speak in casual manner with utmost honesty (Plato 2013). The entire content of the dialog is designed in a peculiar manner. The dialog consists of many parts. The first part consists of an introductory statement in which Socrates explains the manner of his speaking. Then the next part is followed by details of accusations made to him. After that Socrates replies for his charges. Then an account is followed by a penalty imposed on him. Before we go with a detailed description of the dialogues in Apology it is necessary to put some light on the character of Plato. Plato is a Greek Philosopher born in “Athens in 428 or 427” BCE and he studied under the guidance of Socrates who is a well known character in most of his dialogues (Dialogues of Plato 2010). His experience of attending the trial of Socrates led him to write Apology. He travelled many places in search of knowledge and learning. Later he returned to Athens and founded his own Academy which is said to be one of the “earliest schools in western civilization” it has well known students associated with it like Aristotle. Plato’s writings were very popular as it was in the form of dialogues in which the characters make arguments on certain topic by asking questions. This kind of writing helped Plato raise various points; this helped the readers to decide what is apt. His works were known for “dualism” which later influenced well known writers and thinkers especially “Gnostics and Neo-Platonist” (Dialogues of Plato 2010). His works were preserved by the scholars and was later introduced to the rest of the word during Renaissance. His works had strong influence on philosophy and social science. Socrates is the main character of “The Apology” and the dialogue starts with a short speech by him which will be a kind of apology in which he will try to defense himself. The accusers alerted the judges for him being eloquent in his speech. Socrates then states that he is not a rhetorician and will not try to lead anyone with his eloquence. He then tells that the only kind of eloquence he uses will be for his language so that everyone can understand. The accusation on Socrates was made by “Meletus and Anytus” and few other (Plato 2013). The number of his accusers is more and he does not remember everyone’s name and many of them are not even present there due to which he cannot get reply for his statements. The main accusation by Meletus is that Socrates corrupted the youth of Athens and also “Socrates is an evil-doer” (Plato 2013). Another investigation is that he was investigating “things under the earth and in heaven” (Plato 2013). He asserts that allegations are false and it has made his reputation bad over the years. Why would a rational person like Socrates will corrupt the youth. If that is the case then he needs to be educated rather than punished. For the second allegation he says that he never had any interest in physical science to investigate what is happening inside and outside earth. For the charge of Impiety he says the he believes in divinities. He says that he actually blessed by God to spread knowledge among youth. He also asserts that he lived his life instructing the people of Athens without any fee and this was his mission for which God has sent him. Based on the charges the accusers demanded for death penalty for Socrates. But the jury finds him guilty on a narrow basis and asks to pay penalty. For this Socrates suggests that he should be honored with a fine meal for giving his services to Athenians, he also rejects exile and prison. Jury then rejects his suggestion and gives him death sentence which he calmly accepts. He then claims that he does not fear death as God only knows what is after death, so it will be nonsense to fear about something that we don’t know. Socrates then tells the jurymen that with this verdict they have themselves and the people. The Apology is the greatest preserved trial event in the history. But it is also important to note that these kind of historical records are not the exact account. It is something the historian thinks and believes about the event. Plato’s interpretation of the trial is true to some extent as in few cases he might have reported the dialogues what he thinks about Socrates. As he was present during the trial, this can be termed as the “testimony of an eyewitness” (Plato 2013). It appears from the description that the account of incidence is written shortly after the trial. Thus, the Apology is the account which also contains reports given by Xenophon (Plato 2013). There is irony to the Socrates speech. The rhetoricians in those days use eloquence in order which is a kind of an emotional appeal to win the favor of audience, it does not have to do anything with the true facts. In that case Socrates is not a rhetorician and might have used this only for the presentation of his language so that everyone can understand it. Plato’s idea or purpose behind writing this dialogue might be to present Socrates as a hero before the people. Plato even uses the term Martyr for Socrates in the best way because he was unjustly treated and then followed by an untimely death. Socrates was a person who devoted his life for the public. His reply to the accusations does put light on his character and what his thoughts are. Socrates living style generated many stories about him and few of them are nothing more than a joke, which he even mentions during his trial – Aristophanes portrayed him in his “comedy called The Clouds” (Plato 2013). Socrates was given Doctrines taught by Anaxagoras, the physical scientist. To this rumors were surrounded that he charged fee for his instructions (Plato 2013). The mention of oracle of Delphi attributes to the fact that Socrates is the wisest man in Athens which is an irony for him (Plato 2013). The intention of using this story is to expose the false statements who behave to be something they are not. Athenians never had any authoritative book like other religions, which is why to get answers to any religious questions Athenians mainly consult poets with their stories connecting to the Gods. During the trial Socrates never agreed to the stories of God. This may be because few gods were bestowed with immortal acts which are not accepted among human beings. He never believed in the dark legends circulated among the people of Athens. But most of the Athenians had a strong belief in the story of Orcale of Delphi. Meletus and Anytus charged him saying that he is an evil person and his teachings are corrupting the youth of Athens. To his defense he said that his main aim was to encourage the people to think about themselves. Plato states that Socrates was a law obedient person and as a soldier he was loyal to his duties and had been in situation when he endangered his life for the nation. He respected laws of God and never tried to escape punishment and neither had he ever looked for opportunity to escape from prison. Even after getting death sentence he was not afraid of it and the only thing he ever feared was that he might end up doing something morally wrong. It is indeed clear that accusation against him was based on religious grounds. The entire dialogues in the book are written from the first person point of view and Socrates mentions the presence of Plato twice. Plato’s skill as a writer is very well evident in the dialogues of Socrates. His writings have always been inspiring and are published in numerous fashion. The relationship of Plato and Socrates has always been a matter of concern for the scholars. He makes it very clear in the Apology that he is an ardent follower of Socrates and he even mentions the name of Plato during the trial as one of the youths who is close to him. Socrates irony in many instances is considered to be as the dramatic nature of the book. The judges in Socrates trial may not have wanted death for him as they expected him to opt for an alternative sentence. But his sarcastic comments and asking him to honor with a great meal might have irritated the judges. After the punishment is declared he asks the judges to take care of his sons. He wanted the people to follow the right path of virtue. The dialogue ends with a speech by Socrates stating that history will remember them for taking such a serious action and giving him death sentence. The incidence and the dialogue suggest what type of person was Socrates. He was a simple man with no material possessions and believed in speaking in a plain manner. By asking questions to the experts like poets and politician he reveals that they actually don’t know anything about the matter. Instructing others and quest for wisdom was his only aim and one of his saying is the “unexamined life is not worth living” (Plato 2013). Many believe that Socrates was not an expert and not advanced in theories and most of the theories mentioned in the dialogue are Plato’s own creation. The Apology is a great work which fills the gap between literature and philosophy. For philosophical thinkers this work is an inspiration. There are three themes associated with this work irony of Socrates, ethical views dominating Socrates life and elenchus (Socrates style of inquiry). Socrates believed that virtue and wisdom are connected and he states that if everyone is wise no one will ever commit a mistake. The teachings and life of Socrates is considered to be the foundation of western philosophy. At the time of transition he lived in Athens and had strongly influenced the people of Athens. Socrates never had his views or thoughts recorded and it is through his contemporaries we get to know about his theories. Socrates dialogue is a mouthpiece of Plato and his work is often categorized in three groups early, middle and late periods. The first dialogue is written immediately after his death and as Plato become more mature, he developed a philosophical outlook which is evident in his later dialogues. The main aim of Plato was to save Socrates position. Many Scholars believe that Plato ha d a great philosophical skills unlike Xenophon. His work brings in valuable information about Socrates and he proves himself as a great literary artist. Most of his ideas have developed with close interaction with Socrates. In most of his literary works he has used the character of Socrates to expose his philosophical ideas. This has given rise to a new term called “Socratic Method” which is an educational strategy to cross-examine students by their teacher (Plato 2013). But the method used by Socrates has some peculiar style and pattern which intends to raise questions for which the interlocutor doesn’t have answer for it. The dialogue shows more of Socrates character than the facts of his life. We can say that few of the topics used in the dialogue actually belong to Socrates and rest is what Plato might have heard of. Thus, The Apology represents ideal truth and is only Plato’s the account of Plato’s perception and what he views on the trial. Plato in his writing never aimed at literal accuracy. It is also possible that actual account of defense made by Socrates is much stronger that what Plato has reported. Any how it might also be possible that some of the words and terms uttered in the trial is remembered by him and most of the facts might be true. The tragic pathos of the dialogue comes at the end when he clearly accepts his verdict. The central idea of The Apology is that one must nor betray their own philosophy. Plato has very well shown the dedication of Socrates throughout the trial. He was more concern about being a good human being rather being a popular figure in public. And the end can be termed as failure of justice because most of them present in the trail did not accept him the way he was. Works Cited Dialogues of Plato. Internet Sacred Text Archives, 2010. Web. 15 November 2013. Plato. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 November 2013. Plato. “Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo.” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Web. 15 November 2013. Plato. “The Apology.” Sparknotes, LLC. Web. 15 November 2013. Read More