Reflection Of Plato's Apology

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Plato’s Apology gives insight to the thoughts and workings of the brilliant mind of Socrates. Everything we know about the philosopher is through the writings and works of his students and followers (Dean, 2014). The Apology is Plato’s version of the speech Socrates gave when he was put on trial. This important piece of literature demonstrates the skill that Socrates possessed in rhetoric, examination, and improvised speech which aided him in disproving the accusations made against him. The Oracle of Delphi, a god, who by nature could not lie, proclaimed that Socrates was the wisest of men (Plato, trans. 1871). Socrates, a humble man, sought to disprove the claims of the oracle. The reason being that he knew he had “no wisdom, small …show more content…

(Plato, trans. 1871) In regards to the first allegation, he had two arguments. Through cross-examining Maletus, Socrates discovers an inconsistency in his prosecutor’s argument. Maletus states that Socrates is the sole corruptor of the children and everyone else improves them. (Plato, trans. 1871) However, he then admits that in the case of horses there is only one improver and many corruptors. If Socrates intentionally corrupted his students, than he would intentionally be harming himself, because “do not the good do their neighbors good, and the bad do them evil?” (Plato, trans. 1871) If Socrates were unintentionally corrupting the youth, than he should be reprimanded and taught rather than brought the court. It is also his God-calling to teach men to search themselves and the world. (Plato, trans. 1871) Socrates rebuts the second allegation by revealing an inconsistency in the prosecution. After being probed, the accuser first concedes that Socrates teaches the youth to acknowledge “new divinities or spiritual agencies” in the stead of the gods of the state (Plato, trans. 1871). Next, he says that the philosopher is an atheist. Maletus’ arguments are continually inconsistent because he has “nothing real of which to accuse” Socrates (Plato, trans. 1871). Claiming that God ordered him to fulfill the …show more content…

Socrates’ life goal and God-calling was “searching into himself and other men.” (Plato, trans. 1871) Essentially, this means pondering why, when, where, what, and how of the world, yourself, others, and spirituality. Every question one asks defines a person’s worldview and how he interprets the universe in which he lives. To live the examined life is accepting the existence of unanswered questions that humans must contemplate in order to understand the world. Socrates compares himself to a gadfly waking people from their sleep (Plato, trans. 1871). Many people choose to live the unexamined life because of the intensity of the intellectuality. Taking on these “big” questions is not a simple task (Dean, 2014). It takes time and thought to formulate cohesive observations that work together to create a worldview. Everyone has a worldview whether or not they can grasp and interpret the necessary questions. However, those who go the extra mile to examine all aspects of themselves, the world, humanity, and God or spiritual beings, have a greater understanding of who they are and what they believe. Accept the

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