Analyzing Socrates The Apology

Reading Response: The Apology
Analysis
“Why does Socrates believe himself to be innocent?” The Apology is a record of Socrates defense to his jurors who had charged him with impiety. A major part of his defense, is that the Oracle at Delphi proclaims him to be the wisest man alive. Later Socrates relays a second message of the Oracle that explains the reason that he is wise. “God only is wise... the wisdom of men is little or nothing”. While this statement is a very interesting philosophical point, and one that will be addressed later for now this paper will ask “What does that philosophical point have to do with his innocence”
Socrates claims to be wise, and his basis for saying so is, paradoxically, that he did not think himself wise. This paradox faces the jurors with a decision. Is Socrates wise or a fool? If he is wise, then he is not poisoning the minds of the youth, is not being impious, and is not guilty. In either case he should be tried as innocent. If he is a fool then he is doing these things unintentionally and cannot rightfully be convicted. He says to Meletus “But either I do not corrupt them, or I corrupt them unintentionally, so that on either view of the case you lie. If my offence is unintentional, the law has

What then do I gain by being wise?” I said to myself, “This too is meaningless.” For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!” Socrates’ words about “Only God is wise” seem to echo this sentiment. The God of the Bible is the fountainhead of all truth. Having an awe and fear of Him is the very beginning of wisdom. It is folly to look to our own faculties as the ultimate source of truth and understanding. Look to God for wisdom. He is the True. Socrates is absolutely right in that he recognizes the need for an absolute standard of