Was Socrates Defense Convincing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Reading time 4 min Death 399 BC Cause of death Execution by forced suicide by poisoning Era Ancient Greek philosophy

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).

Was Socrates defense effective Why or why not?

Socrates argues that he is innocent of both charges. His defense is ultimately unsuccessful , and he is convicted and sentenced to death. Socrates concludes the Apology by arguing that a just man should have no fear of death.

Why did Socrates not defend himself?

Socrates stood trial for impiety , fomenting treason, and “corrupting the youth of Athens” in 399 B.C., in the immediate aftermath of the Peloponnesian War, a disaster for Athens. Faced with these charges (which he denied on the grounds that his teachings did none of those things), Socrates refused to recant.

What did Socrates say he was trying to persuade people to do?

In addressing the audience after he has been found guilty of the charges but before he has been sentenced, Socrates explicitly declares his intention to persuade the jury of his innocence . Thus, he maintains: ... Socrates must persuade the jury if he is to save his life.

What was Socrates goal in apology?

Plato’s teacher Socrates was found guilty of corrupting the youth by the courts of Athens and subsequently executed. The Apology describes the proceeds of the trial. 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 .

How did Socrates prove his innocence?

Socrates then went to court and did what he could to refute the charges that were brought against him. ... Socrates vindicates his innocence by stating that the many have heard what he has taught in public and that many of those that he taught were present in the court that day.

Is Socrates a sophist?

Socrates. ... Guthrie classified Socrates as a sophist in his History of Greek Philosophy. Before Plato, the word “sophist” could be used as either a respectful or contemptuous title. It was in Plato’s dialogue, Sophist, that the first record of an attempt to answer the question “what is a sophist?” is made.

Was Socrates trying to get himself acquitted?

Was Socrates trying to get himself acquitted? If he was not, what effect was he trying to exert on the jury? Socrates is quite explicit on this question. Getting acquitted is completely immaterial to him .

Who does Socrates cross examine in the Apology?

However, Socrates even in such adverse circumstances chose to himself do a tactful cross examination of his chief accuser – Meletus and also chose to make vociferous arguments at the trial. The best account of the said cross examination occurs in the Plato’s book called Apology.

What does Socrates say at his trial concerning the unexamined life?

The Unexamined Life. After the jury has convicted Socrates and sentenced him to death, he makes one of the most famous proclamations in the history of philosophy. He tells the jury that he could never keep silent, because “ the unexamined life is not worth living for human beings ” (Apology 38a).

Who said no one is wiser than Socrates?

Early in Socrates’ defence speech, he explained that his friend Chaerephon went to the oracle of Delphi and asked whether there was anyone wiser than Socrates. The oracle told Chaerephon that no one is wiser than Socrates.

How did Socrates defend himself in the apology?

Socrates now turns from his old accusers to his new ones, those who have brought him to trial. ... 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 .

Is crito Socrates friend?

An old friend of Socrates , about his age. Like many of Plato’s dialogues, the Crito takes its name from Socrates’ primary interlocutor. Crito is a long-time follower of Socrates, and is deeply distraught at the prospect of Socrates’ impending execution.

How does crito try to convince Socrates?

Crito has bribed the guards and is encouraging Socrates to escape. SOcrates uses moral reasoning and the socratic method to convince crito that socrates would be violating his moral principles if he escaped. So even though socrates believes he is innocent, he reasons that he must remain in prison.

What does Socrates say about virtue?

Based upon first-hand knowledge of the Greek texts, my thesis is as follows: man’s virtue, according to Socrates, is wisdom (skill or knowledge-how) to act effectively or correctly in a given situ- ation, grounded in and based upon absolutely certain knowledge (intellec- tual knowledge-that) .

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.