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andrewrawr's review against another edition
3.0
While there’s not a ton by way of groundbreaking philosophy in this speech, there’s a great deal of reasoning and good demonstrations of the Socratic method. The real joy of the Apology is the beauty of the words, however, at least in my translation (that by Benjamin Jowett). Look, for instance, at the following:
“But the main body of these slanderers who from envy and malice have wrought upon you - and there are some of them who are convinced themselves, and impart their convictions to others - all these, I say, are most difficult to deal with; for I cannot have them up here, and examine them, and therefore I must simply fight with shadows in my own defence, and examine when there is no one who answers.”
The presentation of Socrates is also amusing. He presents himself as if to be humble, a man lacking in any wisdom aside from the fact that he knows he is truly lacking in wisdom, but then he’s so immeasurably arrogant about it. He not only discards politics that might be to his advantage, but then is actively a dick to everyone — often rather unnecessarily. Socrates would be an AWFUL lawyer.
Overall, it’s certainly worth a read, and it carries with it good lessons — some good people are punished not for their own sins, but for other people’s, because said good people do not let those people live without guilt. In some much more minor sense than presented here, it’s something most if not all people do throughout their lives. That, and the humility of remembering how little we know, are excellent takeaways from this speech.
“But the main body of these slanderers who from envy and malice have wrought upon you - and there are some of them who are convinced themselves, and impart their convictions to others - all these, I say, are most difficult to deal with; for I cannot have them up here, and examine them, and therefore I must simply fight with shadows in my own defence, and examine when there is no one who answers.”
The presentation of Socrates is also amusing. He presents himself as if to be humble, a man lacking in any wisdom aside from the fact that he knows he is truly lacking in wisdom, but then he’s so immeasurably arrogant about it. He not only discards politics that might be to his advantage, but then is actively a dick to everyone — often rather unnecessarily. Socrates would be an AWFUL lawyer.
Overall, it’s certainly worth a read, and it carries with it good lessons — some good people are punished not for their own sins, but for other people’s, because said good people do not let those people live without guilt. In some much more minor sense than presented here, it’s something most if not all people do throughout their lives. That, and the humility of remembering how little we know, are excellent takeaways from this speech.
simo_na's review against another edition
Non mi sembra il caso di dargli una valutazione, perché più che un libro che può piacere o meno lo vedo come un documento storico importantissimo che ho dovuto tra l'altro leggere e studiare per un'interrogazione. Comunque passo fondamentale per capirci qualcosa di filosofia.
josiahrichardson's review against another edition
3.0
Socrates attempted to defend his beliefs before the Athenians as Plato watched and listened. Socrates apologetic is told from the eyes and ears of Plato. It is interesting to hear, although centuries apart, how Socrates addressed the Athenians and compare it to how Paul addressed the Athenians in Acts 17.
helgamharb's review against another edition
4.0
Apologia is Plato’s account of Socrates’ self-defense speech in front of the judges who accused him of not believing in gods and corrupting the youth with his ideas.
fscott's review against another edition
4.0
I particularly enjoyed the last section of this piece. Plato’s (Socrates?) view on life and death intrigue me and inspire me to “examine” my own life to find purpose and joy in it.