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A review by jmckendry
Apology by Plato
5.0
This is another one I read in college that I enjoyed reading more this time. Plato's "Apology" is a dialogue where Socrates stands before the court of Athens and defends himself against his accusers who say he is corrupting the youth, and that he is impious/an atheist/believes in false gods. Socrates defends himself by cross examining his accuser, Meletus, and finds many inconsistencies in his accusations.
Socrates, through logical argument, shows that he does not corrupt the youth because he does not actually set out to teach anyone anything. He simply goes around asking people questions (questions which often make people who play at being wise look stupid) and the wealthy youth enjoy listening to him, then question other people in the same manner. But Socrates has never charged anyone money for listening to him, and he does not ask anyone to listen to him.
Socrates also shows that he cannot both be an atheist and believe in false gods. He says something like, "Has anyone ever believed in flute playing but not the flute player?" where he is basically asking: if he believes in demigods, or the actions of the gods, how could he possibly not believe in the gods?
In the end, he tells the people of Athens that he will never stop going around asking questions and pursuing the truth, because that is his mission which he was given by the gods.
Even though his arguments are logical and sound, the people of Athens sentence him to death which he readily accepts because he is an old man who really has no reason to fear death. His only sorrow is that Athens will lose his inquiring mind, and that the gods may never send them another like him. While it seems pretty cocky, he was not wrong.
A fantastic dialogue, well-written and easy to understand.
Socrates, through logical argument, shows that he does not corrupt the youth because he does not actually set out to teach anyone anything. He simply goes around asking people questions (questions which often make people who play at being wise look stupid) and the wealthy youth enjoy listening to him, then question other people in the same manner. But Socrates has never charged anyone money for listening to him, and he does not ask anyone to listen to him.
Socrates also shows that he cannot both be an atheist and believe in false gods. He says something like, "Has anyone ever believed in flute playing but not the flute player?" where he is basically asking: if he believes in demigods, or the actions of the gods, how could he possibly not believe in the gods?
In the end, he tells the people of Athens that he will never stop going around asking questions and pursuing the truth, because that is his mission which he was given by the gods.
Even though his arguments are logical and sound, the people of Athens sentence him to death which he readily accepts because he is an old man who really has no reason to fear death. His only sorrow is that Athens will lose his inquiring mind, and that the gods may never send them another like him. While it seems pretty cocky, he was not wrong.
A fantastic dialogue, well-written and easy to understand.