Defense of

Socrates
By Reggie Hawkins

Athenian Definition of Apology

The Apology is the actual speech delivered by Socrates
during his death trial. In the Athenian jury system, an
apology is composed of three parts: a speech, followed by
a counter-assessment, then some final words. The speech
was Socrates defending himself at the trial.

Platos Apology
Platos Apology appears to record, in many instances, the
exact words used by Socrates while making his speech in
defense of himself. Although there is no proof of Socrates
exact words, we know Plato was present at the trial, and
hence we may conclude that the account given in the
Apology contains the words of Socrates as they were
remembered by Plato.

Biased Report
We should keep in mind that Plato had been both a pupil
and an admirer of Socrates, and for this reason his version
of the trial may have been somewhat biased in favor of the
one whom he regarded as a truly great hero. At any rate,
we may be certain that, even though Socrates has been to
some extent idealized by his pupil, the account given
represents what Plato believed to be true about his
teacher. It is also possible that Socrates' defense of
himself was even stronger than what has been reported.

Socrates Charges
Socrates was tried on two charges:
Corrupting the youth and Impiety

Disbelief in Democracy
Socrates was against Democracy. Athens, at the time, was
in political turmoil, undergoing a change from
authoritarian rule to Democracy. Despite his loyalty to
Athens, his attitude of defending his truth clashed with
current Athenian politics and society. His death could have
been avoided if he had deserted his philosophy and gone
back to minding his own business.

Meletus
Socrates accused Meletus of not really being interested in
or concerned about these charges of corrupting the
young.
He says Meletus you havent really given much thought
into this so yourre not really competent observer.

3 Arguments Socrates ask

Meletus
1st- So let me ask you your saying I corrupt the young men but,
theres so many other people out there including poets, playwrights,
craftspeople, and politicians but Im the guy who corrupts them?
2nd- You say that I corrupt the young well do I corrupt them
knowingly do I know that Im making them worse?
3rd- He points to the crowd and singles out audience members whom
he has had social relationships with then he says: These are all
adults now if Ive damaged them, hurt them, or made them worse off
why are they not complaining.

Meletus 3 Responses
1st- Yes thats exactly right
2nd-Yes youre doing it all the time and thats part of
reason why we need to execute you because you know
what youre doing.
3rd- Meletus cant counter this argument because there
are no evidence support his claims.

Socrates response
1st- Thats strange because in every other field theres somebody who
actually knows what theyre doing. These people tend to be the people who
actually improve whatever it is that theyre working on. Then theres the rest
of us who dont and were liable to mess things up.
2nd- Socrates says that if I was willingly and knowingly making people bad
Im setting a trap for myself and Im purposely making conditions worse for
myself and thats completely irrational. You can say that I am knowingly
doing this in which case Meletuss arguments falls apart completely because
of what Socrates just stated. Or you can say that I dont really know what Im
doing but in which case you shouldnt be taking me to trial you should
actually be teaching me.

Socrates Strategy
Throughout the trial Socrates uses admission thats going
to lead down the road of argumentation thus arguing each
accusation without admitting guilt or innocence. He often
express that he is not always right and does not know
everything.

The Verdict
Socrates was found guilty by his peers and sentenced to
death by poison his memory has been lived through the
works of his pupils most notably Plato.