Apology of Socrates by Plato Analysis Essay

In Plato’s Apology of Socrates lines, 28b through 30b Socrates is talking to the jury about his ideas of Philosophy and how it is not a shameful way of thought, but rather an intriguing way to look at life.  The jury does not seem to care and states that Socrates should “take into account the danger of lying or dying, but not rather consider this alone whenever he acts.” (Plato 79, 28b). The jury is threatening Socrates with the death penalty because of his experiments, teaching the results to the youth and corrupting them, and behaving like an atheist. 

Socrates then talks about how he was stationed in battle “So I would have done terrible deeds, men of Athens, if, when the rulers whom you elected to rule me stationed me in Potidaea and Amphipolis and at Delium, I stayed then where they stationed me and ran the risk of dying like anyone else” (Plato 80, 28d). Socrates is saying that he obeyed orders from his rulers to be stationed at the battles and risked dying for his country like anyone else who was stationed with him. Socrates then compares the battles that he was stationed in, to the god stationing him to philosophize and examine himself and others. He left the battle station because he feared death. (Plato 80, 28e).

Socrates later states that “Then someone might justly bring me into a law of court, saying that I do not believe that there are gods, since I would be disobeying the divination, and fearing death, and supposing I am wise when I am not.” (Plato 80, 29a). Socrates knows that he has to convince the court that he believes in the gods or else he will be put to death. He also knows that he is not smarter than everyone else and is acknowledging what he does not know and for that, he is truly wise. 

Socrates states that it is “bad and shameful to do injustice and to disobey one’s better, whether god or human being.” (Plato 80, 29b). I gather that he is saying that he will not disobey what anyone says, especially the god who is telling him to philosophize. 

Socrates says “that it is not possible to not kill me” (Plato 80, 29c). He now is no longer trying to defend himself but recognizes that he is going to be put to death by the jury. The jury later remarks that “Socrates, for now, we will not obey Anytus; we will let you go, but on this condition: that you no longer spend time in this investigation or philosophize; and if you are caught doing this you will die.” (Plato 81, 29d). Socrates responds with “I will certainly not stop philosophizing, and I will exhort you and explain this to whomever of you I happen to meet.” (Plato 81, 29d). Socrates knows the consequences of continuing to practice and teach philosophy with result in death and he tells the court that he will continue to do it. 

I believe that Socrates does not want to give up philosophy because he believes that he is being summoned to do it by the god he even states that “god orders this and I suppose that until now no greater good has arisen for you in the city than my service to the god.” (Plato 81, 30a). He believes that because of his dedication to the god he is a part of the greater good and is helping Athens, rather than corrupting it.

Part of Socrate’s defense in not being corrupt is the case that he and his family are impoverished but in his defense, he also states that “Not from money does virtue come, but from virtue comes money and all other good things for human beings both privately and publicly.” (Plato 81, 30b). If Socrates was truly virtuous he would not be living in poverty but should have money and all other good things. He contradicted himself by saying that he was poor but also says those who are virtuous have money.

Socrates has given up defending himself and is now telling the jury it would be a mistake to convict and put him to death. He told the jury “I would not do otherwise, not even if I were going to die many times.” (Plato 81, 30b). He is telling the jury that he would not change anything about philosophy even if he were to be convicted and put to death.