How Did Socrates Defend Himself In The Apology?

Socrates begins his defense by

acknowledging that many people have accused him of “studying things in the sky and below the earth”

and of “making the worse into the stronger argument” and teaching these things to others (p. 26).

What was Socrates best defense in the apology?

Specifically, the Apology of Socrates is a defence

against the charges of “corrupting the youth”

and “not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel” to Athens (24b).

How does Socrates present himself in the apology?

Thus, in The Apology,

Socrates attempts to defend himself and his conduct–certainly not

to apologize for it. For the most part, Socrates speaks in a very plain, conversational manner. … This is the only instance in The Apology of the elenchus, or cross-examination, which is so central to most Platonic dialogues.

How did Socrates defend philosophy?

In conclusion, Socrates believed that philosophy was

an improvement of the soul as it reveals our ignorance

; therefore it is important to live an “examined life.” He believed that you will most likely lead a miserable life if you do not question your beliefs and ideas.

Was Socrates defense convincing?

What was Socrates goal in apology?

Socrates’s goal in Plato’s Apology was

never to defend himself, but to continue doing his life’s work of exposing falsehood in others

. Socrates does this by asking questions.

How does Plato defend Socrates?

Plato’s

speech

represents his creative attempt to defend Socrates and his way of life and to condemn those who voted to kill him. … One of them, no doubt, was to defend and praise Socrates by making use of many of the points Socrates himself had offered in his speech.

How does Socrates show Meletus to have contradicted himself in regard to Socrates belief in the gods?

Meletus, in fact, when questioned about it, insists that Socrates is an atheist. The charge, of course, was a ridiculous one, and Socrates makes this clear by pointing out that Meletus has contradicted himself by

saying that Socrates has introduced new and strange divinities and yet does not believe in any deity.

How does Socrates defend himself against the charge that he has corrupted the youth of Athens in apology?

In order to defend himself against these charges,

Socrates calls on Meletus, his principal accuser, and interrogates him in the familiar form of the elenchus, or cross-examination

. … Socrates then urges Meletus to clarify which people might have this good influence, whose business it is to know the laws.

What did Socrates do?

Socrates was a scholar, teacher and philosopher born in ancient Greece. His Socratic method laid the

groundwork for Western systems of logic and philosophy

.

What according to Socrates in the apology is his mission to Athens?

His priorities are clear:

wealth and honor are trifling concerns next to the pursuit of truth and the perfecting of the soul

. This is the message he preaches to the youth of Athens, and unless such preaching corrupts them, he is innocent of the charges laid against him.

What are Socrates accomplishments?

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) was a classical Greek philosopher who is credited with laying the fundamentals of modern Western philosophy. He is known for

creating Socratic irony and the Socratic method (elenchus)

.

How does Socrates separate himself from the Sophists?

Socrates distinguishes himself from natural philosophers like Anaxagoras (what we would today call scientists). … Socrates

claims to not have the kind of knowledge that the Sophists profess to have and points out that he does not take money to teach anyone anything

.

What are 5 facts about Socrates?

1. He was of middle economic status. …
2. He made money from teaching. …
3. No belief in religion. …
4. He died by hemlock poisoning. …
5. He did not leave any recorded teachings behind. …
6. Famous teacher. …
7. Know thyself.

How did Socrates affect the world?

Socrates was one of the first people to encourage people to question what is right or wrong? He

would ask questions to all of society to establish what was good

and what was bad which would later shape the legal conducts in Western society.

How does Socrates respond to the corruption charge?

The Apology

was written by Plato, and relates Socrates’ defense at his trial on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates argues that he is innocent of both charges. … Socrates concludes the Apology by arguing that a just man should have no fear of death.

How does Socrates distinguish himself set himself apart from other teachers?

Physical explanations are claims of presocratics and charging fees for teaching are true of sophists. But Socrates explains that

neither are true of him

. … This sets himself apart from both sophists and presocratics. Teachers from both of these groups have claimed to acquire special knowledge through experience.

Did Socrates preferred exile to death?

Socrates preferred exile to death

. Socrates thought that the primary occupation of a good citizen should be the pursuit of wealth and prestige. According to Socrates, we should always consider in doing anything whether we are doing right or wrong. An argument is not synonymous with persuasion.

What is self According to Socrates?

And contrary to the opinion of the masses, one’s true self, according to Socrates, is not to be identified with what we own, with our social status, our reputation, or even with our body. Instead, Socrates

famously maintained that our true self is our soul

.

How does Socrates influence us to do ethics?

Socrates equated knowledge with virtue

, which ultimately leads to ethical conduct. As per him, only life worth living was one that was rigorously examined. He looked for principles and actions that were worth living by, creating an ethical base upon which decisions should be made.

Why can’t Socrates hold his tongue?

He couldn’t hold his tongue, he explained,

because it would be disobeying a command by God

: “the greatest human good is daily discussion about virtue (and of those other things about which you hear me examining myself and others), and that the unexamined life is not worth living.” In this quotation we find Socrates’ …

Why was Socrates important to history?

Socrates of Athens (l. c. 470/469-399 BCE) is among the most famous figures in world history for

his contributions to the development of ancient Greek philosophy

which provided the foundation for all of Western Philosophy. He is, in fact, known as the “Father of Western Philosophy” for this reason.

Does Socrates believe in God?

Socrates: Early Years

Socrates was born and lived nearly his entire life in Athens. … Although he never outright rejected the standard Athenian view of religion, Socrates’

beliefs were nonconformist

. He often referred to God rather than the gods, and reported being guided by an inner divine voice.