Study Questions: An Exploration of Plato's Apology

Directions: You will be divided into three discussion groups. Each discussion group will have their own Set of questions. Come to class with answers WRITTEN down for discussion. Use complete sentences in your responses, and explain the "why" behind your thoughts. Tell us "why" you said what you did, don't just nod your head yes or no. Be creative and thoughtful. Be "Socratic".

Set 1

1.  Does Socrates make any philosophical assertions, and if so, of what kind are they? On one hand, he denies having any kind of specialized knowledge, and on the other hand, he makes assertions such as "the unexamined life is not worth living" and "no one ever knowingly does wrong." Can we reconcile these two positions?

2.  Was Socrates trying to get himself acquitted? If he was not, what effect was he trying to exert on the jury?

3.  Socrates asserts that he is wise only in that he knows that he knows nothing. He sets up the model of the philosopher as one who does not have any specialized knowledge, but who is instead well- skilled at revealing the ignorance of others. Plato, Socrates' immediate successor, wants to claim all sorts of positive wisdom for the philosopher (such as knowledge of the theory of forms). To what extent do you think Socrates is correct in saying that philosophy does not consist of positive wisdom?

4.  Characterize Socratic irony and the role it plays in Socrates' method. To what extent and to what effect is this irony employed? Can we take anything Socrates' says seriously? And is there a rigid connection between being serious and speaking the truth?

5.  What is the supernatural sign or divine voice that Socrates alludes to at 31c-d and 40a? Might we count this as some kind of specialized knowledge, the kind which Socrates vehemently denies having? Or is this a kind of intuition or inspiration of the kind Socrates identifies with the poets? How seriously does Socrates mean what he says here? And if he is joking, what is the purpose of the joke?

6.  Discuss Socrates' attitude toward religion. He is on trial in part for being impious and irreligious, and responds only very briefly to these charges. Furthermore, his attitudes toward the supernatural seem to waver a great deal. In his cross-examination of Meletus, he seems to suggest that only the gods and the children of the gods are supernatural, and yet at other points, he alludes to his supernatural sign and to the possibility of human souls living after death. Is Socrates guilty of impiety?

7.  Explain and discuss the elenchus, or cross-examination, between Socrates and Meletus. Whose side would you take in their argument? Can you think of arguments Meletus might have made against Socrates had he been quicker witted?

Set 2

Socrates realized that his defense was not only a response to the specific charges; those he was apt to flatly deny. He was on trial also for his way of life. His challenge was to show the jury that his life was a life of virtue, and so could not be a basis for charges of impiety and corruption.

1.  What are the charges against Socrates?

2.  What are Socrates' main arguments of defense in regard to each charge?

3.  Is this a fair trial? Are the charges legitimate?

4.  Why does he take such care to avoid securing his own acquittal? He could have begged for clemency, used his wife and children to get a pity vote, offered a reasonable alternative sentencing, promised to behave differently.

5.  Is he really an example of a man who lived and died by his own philosophy? Or is he a self-appointed martyr? Are they mutually exclusive?

6.  Is there virtue in being a martyr?

7.  Do you believe that Socrates believes himself no wiser than any other man? What exactly does he mean by that?

8.  Does arrogance play a role in Socrates' behavior? Is that OK?

9.  And finally, is retaining one's ethical dignity (living by one's principles) worth dying for? For Socrates? For you?

10.  Socrates himself addresses most of these issues. Has he answered them to your satisfaction?

Set 3

Socrates realized that his defense was not only a response to the specific charges; those he was apt to flatly deny. He was on trial also for his way of life. His challenge was to show the jury that his life was a life of virtue, and so could not be a basis for charges of impiety and corruption.

  1. Care of the soul is of primary importance. Apology: 29e-30b, 36c Crito: 47e-48b
  2. In considering what course of action to follow, one should only consider what is
  3. right/wrong, just/unjust. Apology: 28b Crito: 48c-d
  4. 3. Philosophical inquiry is morally therapeutic.
  5. Apology: 30a-31a, 36c-37a, 38a Corollary: The unexamined life is not worth living.
  6. Socrates knows that he does not have knowledge, and that is all. Apology: 20c, 20e, 21d, 23b
  7. No one can harm a good person. Apology: 30c-d, 41c-d
  8. No one deliberately does harm [injustice]. Apology: 25d-26a

Exercise for Reading Comprehension and Interpretation

1 7 - 1 8 a -What are the main themes of the introduction? What is the intended effect of this introduction?

1 8 b - 1 9 -What are the older false accusations which Socrates mentions? What is the source of these accusations against Socrates? Why does Socrates find this older accusation harder to deal with than the one presently brought against himself?

2 1 - 2 3 - What was Chaerephon's question to the Delphic Oracle and what did the priestess reply? What was Socrates's reaction to the reply? Since Socrates does not believe that he is wise, why does he not reject the oracle as false? What did Socrates proceed to do because of the oracle? What was his final interpretation of the meaning of the oracle? Explain why he adopted this interpretation. What does Socrates believe this oracle says about human wisdom? What duty does Socrates undertake as a result of the oracle?

2 4 - 2 7 - What are the charges against Socrates brought by Meletus at this trial? Reread the three arguments that Socrates uses against these charges and then explain how these arguments are typical of the Socratic method.

2 8 - 3 1 - Compare Socrates's attitude toward the threat to his life in this trial with sophistic utilitarianism (argument from advantage). What meaning does Socrates's example from Homer's Iliad and his analogy of military service have for his present situation? What is Socrates's attitude toward the conflict between his responsibilities to his fellow Athenians and his divinely imposed duty? Explain the difference between the values emphasized by Socrates and those considered important by the typical Athenian. Look up the word "gadfly" in a dictionary. What is the meaning of Socrates's metaphor of the gadfly? According to Socrates, what is so unusual about his devotion to Athens' highest welfare?