While Plato presents a broad argument that emphasizes the importance of pursuing truth over eloquent words and oration, W.E.B. DuBois presents an argument specifically to African Americans, urging them to value a higher education that is centered around seeking truth in the face of civil dispute. However, their arguments for valuing truth are similar because they both urge their readers to seek truth over wealth and to not simply follow the opinion of the majority, especially when considering matters that affect the soul.
In The Apology by Plato, Socrates is being accused of three things; “he busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the stronger argument, and he teaches these same things to others” (19b). Socrates begins his defense immediately criticizing his accusers of being dishonest and speaking no truth in their case. He then begs for the jury’s forgiveness for not speaking the correct style of language, being unfamiliar with the type of dialogue used in a law court, since it is his first time at the age of seventy. He explains that this is not the first time accused, but that he has had to defend himself against lying accusations for years. He addresses that his reputation and wisdom all started because of
The Apology written by Plato is about the speech of Socrates at the trial in which he is accused and chargef for “corrupting the young” and “not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonian that are novel.” The meaning of the Apology gets from the Greek "apologia," which interprets as to defend, or a speech made to defend oneself.
Throughout his entire trial Socrates never begged, cried, or broke down. He never lied, cheated, or tried to trick anyone. These tricks may have won over the sympathy from his Athenian jury but they would have compromised him as a person.
In Plato’s “The Apology,” Socrates is defending himself before the Athenian government on charges of heresy and corrupting the youth. Socrates’ introspective reflection on pertinent issues and his own life are ruled wrong by Athenian State. As a result, he faces charges from this decision to pursue a life full of philosophical exploration, and this is what leads him to be brought before the court. However, once the trial begins, instead of repenting and likely being able to walk away with a nonfatal punishment, he claims, the good life is an examined life, and ultimately, an unexamined life is not worth living to defend himself. Socrates believes in this claim with such sustenance; it is what ultimately causes him to lose his life, by not willing
In Plato’s Apology, those intellegent figures substantially fascinating the majority of the data around the scholarly thoughts that is inferred starting with Socrates’ resistance discourse. Socrates, Plato’s instructors and friend, will be primed to protect himself. Socrates’ mission was to help individuals to see all the thoughts implying and claiming existence to change their lives, putting stress on temperance their souls. He says,.
In Plato’s Apology, Socrates was defending himself in front of a jury of Athenian citizens, facing execution. He did not act as someone in his position should if they wanted to make it out alive. Throughout his speech to the jury, he was smug and unapologetic. It was clear that he didn’t believe himself to be in the wrong, but rather than making a persuasive argument for why he should be let go, he proceeds to tell a long, rambling story with the intent to dismiss members of the jury as unwise. Obviously, it is not a smart move to insult and provoke the people that have your life in their hands.
Academic texts can often shine a light on many philosophical questions. Plato’s Apology is a text that encompasses this light. While reading I often thought of an experience that happened to me in my seventh grade year. I learned three major things while reading this play, the first was being completely honest in the face of trial secondly, I learned about taking a stand for what you believe. Finally, I learned that defending yourself is important. I often learn through texts by comparing them to my own life, In Plato’s Apology I was able to do just that.
In the story “Apology”, “Socrates is standing in front of a Jury defending himself for converting the youth to believe in a God that the Athenians do not believe in.” (121) Chaerephon, a friend of Socrates, went to Delphi and asked if there was anyone wiser than Socrates. Delphi had said that Socrates was the wisest man, this had given the reputation to Socrates which had lead the youth looking up to Socrates as a god.
In my essay I will guide a reader to the period in which Socrates was accused and sentenced to death penalty and together we will endeavour to answer the question whether he was or he was not guilty. Although the topic is to enomoursly extent controversial and a lot of similar works were written, I will do my best to present consistent and logical judgement of Socrates.
In Plato’s Apology, Socrates finishes the trial stating once again that he has done nothing wrong. If his accusers believe Socrates sons care more about money or virtue, the accusers should treat his sons the same way he treated them. Socrates thinks that if his sons are treated like he treated others, that it would benefit them. This fits into the Apology because he has made many arguments as to why he isn’t wrong. Although he has now been sentenced to death, he still makes one last statement to show that he believes he has always been in the right.
In the second dialogue titled Apology in the book ‘The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues’, Socrates presents his defense to the men of Athens who will ultimately vote to either acquit or convict him for the charges laid against him by Meletus, Anytus and Lycon. While reiterating the importance of virtue, and self-examination in his defense, Socrates uses the aforementioned quote to predict a certain fate for the unrighteous people he calls his murderers. These people, he argues, are committing an unjust act by persecuting him. This essay will analyze Socrates’ understanding of virtue and consequently argue that parallels could be drawn between Socrates and Jesus (central figure in Christianity) in their understanding and proclamation
In Plato’s work The Trial and Death of Socrates, Socrates demonstrates his role as a hero of Athens by pursuing the wisdom the Oracle at Delphi asserted that he possessed, as well as using political philosophy to encourage Athens itself to reflect upon its character in order to ensure that future generations will continue to uphold Athenian values of Justice and understanding. These actions and ideals prove that philosophy must have the role of upholding the integrity of Athens and saving future generations from the corrupt leaders that have taken charge of the once great city.
The Apology tells the story of the trial Socrates is placed on as a result of the government officials believing that his creation of false idols has resulted in corruption of the youth of Athens. While the religious leaders view his actions as disrespectful, Socrates believes that it is his duty to offer clarification upon the “wisdom” these leaders of the society had to offer. Ironically, the word “apology” serves as an expression of regret in the English language; however, it is derived from the Greek “apologia,” which translates as a defense or justification of belief. Thus, I believe that Plato strategically calls this piece of writing “apology” in order to symbolize the various and opposing perspectives that can be associated with one
One last point is that Socrates in The Apology, speaks of a certain wisdom he possesses. He specifically tells the jury that the story of this wisdom he possesses did not originated from him, but from the god of Delphi, the oracle himself answers the question “if any man was wiser than Socrates” the oracle response to the question was that no one was wiser. (Plato, Apology pg. 24, 21a) Now, in Phaedo, Socrates speaks to Simmias about certain knowledge we possess before birth, but lost it at birth, hence even if not directly mentioned in the Apology, Socrates philosophy of the soul existing before birth was proven here. With that said, this can explain Socrates’ love for philosophy, he was born a philosopher and his soul left its human body