Andrea Meibos
Phil 201H
6/25/98

Socrates has been accused of blasphemy and in the Apology he defends his position before the jury. He explains that they are already prejudiced against him because people have been accusing him of being an expert, a thinker, and a man who "could make the weaker argument stronger". He asks the members of the jury to think back to see if they remember him doing any of these things. He also emphasizes that he does not claim to be able to educate anyone. The one thing he does claim to do is illuminate to people how they are not as wise as they think they are. This is his wisdom, which is not a wisdom of knowledge, or skill in speaking, or creative talent, but the wisdom of humility, of knowing that there are many things of which he knows nothing. He discovered this because of his quest to find someone more wise than himself, because the priestess of Apollo told him that he was the wisest man.

Socrates then questions Meletus, his main accuser. First he establishes that Meletus believes that only Socrates is a bad influence on the youth of Athens. This, however, is contrary to the general nature of things, where the majority of people are unskilled in a particular area and would thus be detrimental to students of that area. Also, it would be self-incriminating for Socrates to be purposely leading astray the youth. Socrates also proves that he must believe in the gods because he acknowledges the results of their actions, just as one who recognizes flute-playing must acknowledge the existence of flutes.

Next Socrates says that he must obey his principles and the gods before men, that acting according to the truth is more important than acting how one's peers would desire. He also admits that he will not stop his behavior if he is let go. He reveals that he has no motive for wrongdoing as he has not earned any money by his actions or gained any power - his only motive is the pursuit and revealment of truth.

After they decide he is guilty, Socrates proposes that he be given free meals for his service to the citizens of Athens, or if a punishment must be imposed, it be a fee. After they impose the death penalty on him, Socrates thanks those who voted against death and warns the murderous jurymen that they are being overtaken by wickedness. He also mocks them by stipulating that death cannot be worse than life.