The Trial of Socrates (Plato's Apology)

Summary

In this insightful exploration of Plato's 'Apology,' we delve into the trial of Socrates, who defends himself against charges of corrupting youth and atheism. The script highlights Socrates' philosophical journey, starting from the Oracle of Delphi's enigmatic declaration of his wisdom, through his relentless pursuit of truth, leading to his famous defense and acceptance of death. It underscores Socrates' belief in the insignificance of death compared to living a virtuous life and his unwavering commitment to philosophy, leaving a lasting legacy of moral integrity and intellectual inquiry.

Takeaways

• 📜 'Apology' by Plato is a renowned piece in philosophy and world literature, depicting the trial of Socrates without being an actual apology but a defense against charges.
• 🗣️ The Greek word 'apologia' means defense, not apology, and is reflected in the modern term 'apologist', which refers to a defender of beliefs or ideas.
• 🎭 Plato's account of the trial is considered reliable as it aligns with Xenophon's 'Apology' and was written by someone present at the trial.
• 🤔 Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city gods, charges that seem absurd to modern readers but were serious in ancient Athens.
• 🕊️ Socrates' defense highlights his moral fiber and dedication to philosophy, choosing to die rather than compromise his beliefs and practices.
• 🌐 Socrates' philosophical quest began with the Oracle of Delphi declaring him the wisest, leading him to question the supposedly wise men of Athens.
• 🧐 Socrates found that those reputed to be wise often lacked true knowledge, leading to his famous assertion that he knew that he knew nothing.
• 📚 The script discusses the influence of pre-Socratic philosophers like Anaxagoras, whose ideas were wrongly attributed to Socrates during his trial.
• 💭 Socrates believed that death might be a blessing, comparing it to a dreamless sleep or a relocation of the soul to another place.
• 🚫 Socrates rejected the idea of bribing the jury with emotional appeals, choosing instead to rely on reason and truth to defend himself.
• 🔮 Socrates described a 'divine sign' or voice that guided him, preventing him from engaging in public affairs and contributing to his unique role as a gadfly in Athens.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Plato's 'Apology'?

The main theme of Plato's 'Apology' is the defense of Socrates against the charges brought against him, which ultimately led to his trial and execution. It is not an apology in the modern sense but a defense speech.

What does the Greek word 'apologia' mean, and how does it relate to the content of 'Apology'?

The Greek word 'apologia' means a defense. In the context of 'Apology,' it refers to Socrates' defense against the accusations made against him, rather than an expression of regret or apology.

Why was Socrates considered a beloved figure in history?

Socrates was considered a beloved figure in history because of his character, his philosophical inquiries, and his moral integrity, which are depicted in Plato's 'Apology' and other dialogues.

What were the accusations against Socrates, and how did he address them in his defense?

Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city gods. In his defense, he argued against these accusations, showing the absurdity of the claims and providing logical counterarguments.

What is the significance of the Oracle of Delphi's response to Socrates' friend's question?

The Oracle of Delphi's response that no Greeks were wiser than Socrates initiated Socrates' quest to understand the meaning of the Oracle's words, leading him to conclude that his wisdom lay in knowing that he knew nothing.

How did Socrates' philosophical inquiries begin, and what was his conclusion about human wisdom?

Socrates' philosophical inquiries began after the Oracle of Delphi declared him the wisest of Greeks. His conclusion was that human wisdom is relatively worthless, and his wisdom came from understanding this.

Why did Socrates believe that death may be a good thing?

Socrates believed that death may be a good thing because it could either be a dreamless sleep, which would be an advantage, or a relocation of the soul to another place where one could continue philosophical pursuits.

What was Socrates' view on the relationship between wealth, reputation, and the state of one's soul?

Socrates believed that people should care more about the state of their souls than wealth, reputation, and honor. He emphasized the importance of wisdom and truth over material possessions.

How did Socrates describe the 'Divine sign' that he experienced?

Socrates described the 'Divine sign' as a voice that had been with him since childhood. This voice would turn him away from actions he was about to take but never encouraged him to do anything.

What was Socrates' final message to the jury regarding the importance of virtue and the gods?

Socrates' final message to the jury was that a good man cannot be harmed in life or death, and that his affairs are not neglected by the gods. He urged them to focus on virtue and truth.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Trial of Socrates: Plato's 'Apology'

This paragraph introduces Plato's 'Apology,' a renowned work in philosophy and literature that depicts the trial of Socrates. Contrary to its name, the text is not an apology but a defense by Socrates against charges brought against him. The author, Matt, expresses his enthusiasm for exploring Socrates' final days and his philosophical dialogues, emphasizing the historical significance of the work and the agreement between Plato's and Xenophon's accounts of the trial. Socrates is portrayed as a gadfly of Athens, whose actions, though leading to his death, are justified by his dedication to philosophy and moral integrity.

05:01

🗣️ Socrates' Defense Against False Accusations

In this section, Socrates addresses the jury, responding to the accusations made against him. He challenges the notion that he is an accomplished speaker, arguing that his accusers have lied about him. Socrates discusses the influence of Aristophanes' satire 'The Clouds,' which has shaped public opinion about him. He also delves into his philosophical quest, beginning with the Oracle of Delphi's assertion that no Greek was wiser than Socrates, leading him to question the reputedly wise men of Athens and ultimately realizing the relative worthlessness of human wisdom.

10:03

🧐 Socrates' Examination of Athenian 'Wisdom'

Socrates recounts his systematic questioning of various groups in Athens, including politicians, poets, and craftsmen, revealing a common overestimation of their own wisdom. He demonstrates that those with the highest reputations often lacked true knowledge, while those considered less wise were more aware of their ignorance. Socrates' pursuit of truth led to his unpopularity, but he remained committed to his philosophical mission, despite the social consequences.

15:04

🚫 Socrates on the Fear of Death and the Pursuit of Virtue

Here, Socrates argues against the fear of death, suggesting that it stems from ignorance. He believes that a good man should focus on right and wrong actions rather than the risk of life or death. Socrates emphasizes that he would rather die than abandon his philosophical practices, and he criticizes those who would unjustly execute an innocent man. He also describes his divine sign, a voice that has guided him throughout his life, preventing him from engaging in politics and other pursuits that would compromise his integrity.

20:04

🏛️ Socrates' Rejection of a Conditional Acquittal

In this paragraph, Socrates is presented with a conditional acquittal that would require him to abandon philosophy. He rejects this, choosing to obey the gods and continue his philosophical inquiries. Socrates proposes a counter-penalty, suggesting that he deserves to be fed in the prytaneum for his contributions to Athens. However, this proposal is not accepted, and he is sentenced to death, which he accepts with dignity and without fear.

25:05

💀 Socrates' Final Reflections on Death and Legacy

Socrates concludes his defense by contemplating the nature of death, suggesting it may be a blessing and discussing the possibility of an afterlife. He expresses hope that death could offer a peaceful state of non-perception or a relocation of the soul to another place. Socrates also warns his accusers that they will face more harm through their immoral actions than he will through his execution. He leaves his sons with the jury, asking them to ensure the boys prioritize virtue over wealth. Socrates' final words are a testament to his unwavering commitment to truth and virtue, regardless of the cost.

🎬 Conclusion of the Socratic Dialogue Series Introduction

The final paragraph wraps up the introduction to the series on Socrates' trial, inviting viewers to like the video, subscribe for more content, and share their thoughts in the comments. It also teases upcoming videos that will continue to explore the trial of Socrates through additional dialogues, promising further insights into his philosophy and the events leading to his execution.

Keywords

💡Apology

In the context of the video, 'Apology' refers to Plato's work that depicts the defense of Socrates during his trial, rather than an expression of regret. It is derived from the Greek word 'apologia', meaning a defense against charges. The script explains that Socrates was not apologizing but defending his actions and beliefs, which is central to understanding the narrative of the video.

💡Socrates

Socrates is the main character in the video script, a renowned philosopher whose trial and defense form the core of Plato's 'Apology'. He is known for his dialectical method of questioning and his pursuit of wisdom, as illustrated by his famous dictum 'I know that I know nothing'. The video discusses his trial, his defense against accusations of corrupting the youth and impiety, and his philosophical stance on death and the soul.

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the discipline that the video revolves around, particularly the Socratic method and its influence on Western thought. The script mentions Socrates' dedication to philosophy, his moral fiber, and his role as a 'gadfly' of Athens, stimulating the minds of its citizens and challenging their conventional beliefs.

💡Oracle of Delphi

The Oracle of Delphi is significant in the script as the place where Socrates' friend inquired whether anyone was wiser than Socrates, to which the Oracle responded 'no'. This event initiated Socrates' quest to understand the meaning of the Oracle's pronouncement, leading him to conclude that his wisdom lay in recognizing his own ignorance.

💡Wisdom

Wisdom is a central theme in the video, with Socrates' pursuit of it being a defining aspect of his character. The script discusses how Socrates' wisdom was not in knowing much, but in understanding the limits of his knowledge. His realization that 'human wisdom was relatively worthless' and that he was wisest because he knew he knew nothing is a key point in the narrative.

💡Accusations

Accusations are the charges brought against Socrates, including corrupting the youth and not believing in the city gods. The script details how Socrates addresses these accusations in his defense, arguing that they are unfounded and misunderstandings of his philosophical inquiries.

💡Defense

Defense in the video refers to Socrates' strategy and arguments during his trial. The script outlines how he counters the accusations, using logic and questioning to demonstrate the fallacy of the claims against him. His defense is a display of his commitment to truth and philosophical inquiry, even in the face of death.

💡Death

Death is a recurring concept in the script, with Socrates reflecting on its nature and the fear of it. He argues that death may be a blessing and that a good man cannot be harmed by it. The video uses his perspective on death to highlight his courage and his philosophical integrity, as he faces his own mortality with equanimity.

💡Divine Sign

The 'Divine Sign' is a spiritual phenomenon experienced by Socrates, which he describes as a voice that prevents him from doing certain actions but never encourages him to act. The script uses this concept to illustrate Socrates' connection to the divine and his moral compass, guiding him away from actions that could compromise his integrity.

💡Gadfly

In the script, Socrates refers to himself as a 'gadfly', a metaphor for his role in Athens as a stimulator and provocateur. He believes that the gods placed him in the city to awaken the people from their complacency, challenging them to seek wisdom and virtue. This term encapsulates Socrates' self-perception as an agent of philosophical awakening.

💡Trial

The trial is the judicial process depicted in the video where Socrates is accused and ultimately sentenced to death. The script discusses the trial as a pivotal moment in Socrates' life and philosophy, showcasing his moral courage and his commitment to truth and wisdom over life itself.

Highlights

Plato's 'Apology' is a renowned piece in both philosophy and literature, depicting Socrates' trial and defense against charges, rather than an apology in the modern sense.

The term 'apologia' in Greek means a defense, not an apology, and is exemplified by Christian apologists who defend beliefs rather than apologize for them.

Plato's presence at the trial provides a reliable account of Socrates' character and the reasons for his historical admiration.

Socrates' speeches in the 'Apology' are not verbatim but are consistent with Xenophon's account, lending credibility to the text.

Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city gods, charges he defends against in the 'Apology'.

Socrates' defense includes the argument that he should be rewarded for his actions as a gadfly of Athens, stirring people from their complacency.

Socrates' acceptance of his death sentence without fear reflects his dedication to philosophy and moral integrity.

The Athenian justice system is highlighted, where any citizen could bring charges and the accused had to defend themselves.

Socrates addresses the jury, expressing his concern about the persuasive lies of his accusers and his own lack of oratorical skill.

Socrates was a local celebrity, and his reputation was shaped by Aristophanes' satire 'The Clouds', which portrayed him as a pre-Socratic philosopher.

Socrates' philosophical quest began with the Oracle of Delphi declaring him the wisest, leading him to question the wisdom of others and himself.

Socrates found that those reputed to be wise often lacked true knowledge, leading to his realization of his own limited wisdom.

Socrates explains his method of questioning various individuals in Athens, revealing the shortcomings in their perceived wisdom.

Socrates dismantles the accusation of atheism, showing that his beliefs are consistent with those of other philosophers and not unique to him.

Socrates argues that fearing death is a sign of ignorance, as no one knows what the afterlife holds and it may be a blessing.

Socrates' defense emphasizes that he would rather obey the gods than men, and he will continue his philosophical inquiries regardless of the cost.

Socrates proposes a counter-penalty of free meals in the prytaneum, a light-hearted suggestion given the severity of the charges against him.

In his closing remarks, Socrates suggests that his death will inspire others to question the Athenians' way of life, thus his influence will continue posthumously.

Socrates' belief in a divine sign or voice that guided his actions and decisions is presented as a significant aspect of his life and philosophy.

Socrates concludes by emphasizing that a good man cannot be harmed in life or death, and his affairs are in the hands of the gods.

Transcripts

Plato's apology is one of the most

famous pieces in the history of not just

philosophy but world literature in

general depicting the trial of Socrates

it is not actually him apologizing but

instead it is his defense against the

charges that's what the Greek word

apologia means after all if you've ever

heard of a Christian apologist or

something like that and been confused

now you know it means someone who

defends something not apologized for it

since Plato was actually present at the

trial it Paints the best picture of the

character of Socrates giving us an idea

of why he has become so beloved

throughout history I have to say I had

the biggest grin on my face throughout

writing this episode as I reread the

classic speeches of Socrates that made

him so famous I already know it's going

to be a joy going through these

dialogues and I hope you enjoy it as

much as I do it's hard not to appreciate

the spirit and wit of Socrates and

though it is not a word for word

transcription of his speeches we know we

can rely on it because of how much of it

agrees with xenophon's account of the

trial also known as the apology

we're going to dig into Plato's apology

and see why someone like Socrates would

be tried and executed over seemingly

just asking questions hey I'm Matt

you're watching nothing new and today

we're beginning our series on the trial

of Socrates with one of the most

important dialogues Plato wrote about

Socrates final days the apology it's not

really a dialogue like the other early

works but of course this was the trial

of a lifetime you can see there's a good

reason why it stands Out Among the

dialogues we're gonna see why Socrates

was accused of things that seemed silly

to us today such as corrupting the youth

and not believing in the city gods and

examine Socrates defense and account of

why he had to be the gadfly of Athens

even if it would result in death when

Socrates proposes that he should be

rewarded instead of punished for his

actions and then accepts the sentence of

death without fear he ensured that he

would be remembered forever for his

moral fiber and dedication to philosophy

that's just some of what we're exploring

today but first interested in Greek

philosophy make sure to subscribe and

hit the Bell we have new videos coming

out every week anyways let's get into it

the dialogue begins with Socrates

appealing to the jury which would have

been selected randomly from the citizens

of Athens remember that Democratic

Athens had a very unique justice system

anyone could bring a charge on anyone

else and it was up to the accuser and

Defender to support and defend

themselves it certainly would have been

a jury of your peers maybe even your

neighbors leading some to say that

democracy and the people of Athens

itself killed Socrates but anyways

Socrates begins his defense saying I do

not know men of Athens how my accusers

affected you as for me I was almost

carried away in spite of myself so

persuasively did they speak and yet

hardly anything of what they said is

true of the many lies they told one in

particular surprised me namely that you

should be careful not to be deceived by

an accomplished speaker like me that

they were not ashamed to be immediately

proved wrong by the facts when I show

myself not to be an accomplished speaker

at all that I thought was most Shameless

on their part unless indeed they call an

accomplished speaker the man who speaks

the truth if they mean that I would

agree that I am an orator but not after

their manner for indeed as I say

practically nothing they said was true

from me you will hear the whole truth

though not by Zeus gentlemen expressed

in embroidered and stylized phrases like

theirs but things spoken at random and

expressed in the first words that come

to mind for I put my trust in the

Justice of what I say and let none of

you expect anything else

it would not be fitting at my age as it

might be for a young man to toy with

words when I appear before you

by the time of Socrates trial he was

already something of a local celebrity

and if he were living today he would

have said that he had already been tried

in the court of public opinion since as

he argues most were only aware of him

because of Aristophanes satire the

clouds where Socrates serves as a

character of all pre-socratic philosophy

there have been many who have accused me

to you for many years now and none of

their accusations are true

they got hold of most of you from

childhood persuaded you and accused me

quite falsely saying that there is a man

called Socrates a wise man a student of

all things in the sky and below the

Earth who makes the worst argument the

stronger those who spread that rumored

gentlemen are my dangerous accusers for

their hearers believe that those who

study these things do not even believe

in the Gods

moreover these accusers are numerous and

have been added a long time also they

spoke to you at an age when you would

most readily believe them some of you

being Children and adolescents and they

won their case by default as there was

no defense what is most absurd in all of

this is that one cannot even know or

mention their names unless one of them

is a writer of comedies

Socrates Compares defending himself from

these rumors and those who spread them

to fighting Shadows Socrates says that

these false claims about him were the

original accusations against him and

having addressed them he moves on to the

new accusations

Socrates tells us the reason why he set

out to question the supposedly wise men

of Athens who quickly grew annoyed with

him it seems Socrates philosophical

Quest began when a friend of his

traveled to the Oracle of Delphi to ask

one simple question were there any

Greeks wiser than Socrates the Oracle

answered no this is how Socrates reacted

when I heard of this reply I asked

myself whatever does the god mean what

is his riddle I am very conscious that I

am not wise at all what then does he

mean by saying that I am the wisest for

surely he does not lie it is not

legitimate for him to do so for a long

time I was at a loss as to his meaning

then I very reluctantly turned to some

such investigation as this

I went to one of those reputed wise

thinking that there if anywhere I could

refute the Oracle and say to it this man

is wiser than I but you said I was then

when I examined this man there's no need

for me to tell you his name he was one

of our public men my experience was

something like this I thought that he

appeared wise to many people and

especially to himself but he was not as

a result he came to dislike me and so

did many of the bystanders so I withdrew

and thought to myself I am wiser than

this man it is likely that neither of us

knows anything worthwhile but he thinks

he knows something when he does not

whereas when I do not know neither do I

think I know so I am likely to be wiser

than he is to this small extent that I

do not think I know what I do not know

after this I approached another man one

of those thought to be wiser than he and

I thought the same thing and so I came

to be disliked both by him and by many

others after that I proceeded

systematically I realized to my sorrow

and alarm that I was getting unpopular

but I thought that I must attach the

greatest importance to the God's Oracle

so I must go to all those who had any

reputation for knowledge to examine its

meaning and by the dog men of Athens for

I must tell you the truth I experienced

something like this in my investigation

in the service of the God I found that

those who had the highest reputation

were nearly the most deficient while

those who were thought to be inferior

were more knowledgeable

after the politicians Socrates

questioned The Poets after the poets he

questioned the tragedians after the

tragedians he questioned the Craftsman

he found that the bystanders could

explain the poems better than their

authors could and that because of their

talent which he thought came from divine

inspiration they were overconfident in

their wisdom they were no better than

the politicians and the Craftsmen were

no better than the poets because of

their success in their trade they

started to think they were wise in all

sorts of ways in which they really

weren't as we'll see in later dialogues

eventually he comes to see that the

Oracle was correct after all

interpreting their answer to mean that

human wisdom was relatively worthless

and his wisdom came in understanding

this Socrates goes on to explain why he

has gained a following of young men

saying that they take pleasure in

hearing people question they themselves

often imitate me and try to question

others I think they find an abundance of

men who believe they have some knowledge

but know little or nothing the result is

that Those whom they question are angry

not with themselves but with me they say

that man Socrates is a pestilential

fellow who corrupts a young if one asks

them what he does and what he teaches to

corrupt them they are silent as they do

not know but as not to appear at a loss

they mention those accusations that are

available against all philosophers about

things in the sky and things below the

Earth about not believing in the gods

and making the worst the stronger

argument they would not want to tell the

truth I'm sure that they have been

proved to lay claim to knowledge when

they know nothing these people are

ambitious violent and numerous they are

continually and convincingly talking

about me they've been filling your ears

for a long time with vehement Sanders

and

Socrates soon begins to dismantle one of

his accusers arguments lampooning the

idea that all of the Athenians seem to

benefit the youth except for Socrates

who is the sole person who corrupts them

why would he deliberately hurt the very

City he lives in by corrupting the young

he questions his accuser saying are you

so much wiser at your age than I am at

mine that you understand that Wicked

people always do some harm to their

closest neighbors while good people do

them good but I have reached such a

pitch of ignorance that I do not realize

this namely that if I make one of my

associates Wicked I run the risk of

being harmed by him so that I do such a

great evil deliberately as you say I do

not believe you melitus and I do not

think anyone else will either I do not

corrupt the young or if I do it is

unwillingly and you are lying in either

case he concludes that melitus is not

actually concerned with what he says

about Socrates corrupting the youth and

so he moves on to the main point for

which he was on trial atheism he quickly

dismantles this accusation as well

showing how they falsely attribute the

teachings of the pre-socratic

philosophers to him he asks melitus do I

not believe as other men do that the sun

and the moon are Gods melitus responds

no by Zeus gentleman of the jury for he

says that the sun is Stone and the Moon

Earth my dear melitus do you think you

are Prosecuting Annex agorus

are you so contemptuous of these men and

think them so ignorant of letters as not

to know that the books of annex agorus

are full of those theories and further

that the young men learn from me what

they can buy from time to time for a

drachma at most in the bookshops and

ridicule Socrates if he pretends that

these theories are his own especially as

they are so absurd is that by Zeus what

you think of me melitus that I do not

believe that there are any gods that is

what I say that you do not believe in

the gods at all

in our video on the pluralists we talked

about how an axagoras taught that the

sun was not a Divinity but instead a

fiery Stone you should check that out if

you haven't seen it yet spoiler alert

and axigors was also imprisoned for his

philosophy and had to be saved by

Pericles my hope is that by covering the

pre-segratics in full depth in my other

videos you'll have a lot more context

and understanding as we begin to see

their ideas pop up in Plato's dialogues

anyways Socrates points out the

contradiction that they say he's an

atheist while also acknowledging that he

believes in spirits we'll see later that

he even says a Spirit guides him warning

him when he's about to make a mistake

how could he believe in anything

spiritual if he was an atheist like they

said Socrates continues his questioning

if I believe in spiritual things I must

quite inevitably believe in spirits is

that not so it is indeed I shall assume

that you agree as you do not answer do

we not believe spirits to be either gods

or the children of gods yes or no no of

course then since I do believe in

spirits as you admit if Spirits are Gods

this is what I mean when I say you speak

in riddles and ingest as you state that

I do not believe in Gods and then again

that I do since I believe in spirits

what man would believe Children of the

Gods to exist but not gods

we then get a powerful defense of why

Socrates has been acting in such a way

not caring if his lifestyle would lead

to the danger of death which it was now

presently in since we have no idea what

actually happens after death it's very

pretentious of us to judge it as some

terrible thing those who live their

lives in fear of death do so because of

ignorance according to Socrates you are

wrong sir if you think that a man who is

any good at all should take into account

the risk of life or death he should only

consider whether in doing anything he is

doing right or wrong whether he is

acting like a good or a bad man

according to your view all the heroes

who died at Troy were inferior people

especially the son of thedus who was so

contemptuous of danger compared with

disgrace he despised death and danger

and was much more afraid to live a

coward who did not avenge his friends

let me die at once he said when once

I've given the wrongdoer his desserts

rather than remain here a laughing stock

by the curved ships a burden upon the

Earth do you think think he gave thought

to death and danger this is the truth of

the matter men of Athens wherever a man

has taken a position he believes to be

best or has been placed by his Commander

there he must I think remain and face

danger without a thought for death or

anything else rather than disgrace to

fear death gentlemen is no other than to

think oneself wise when one is not to

think one knows what one does not know

no one knows whether death may not be

the greatest blessings for a man yet men

fear it as if they knew that it is the

greatest of evils it is perhaps on this

point and in this respect gentlemen that

I differ from the majority of men and if

I were to claim that I am wiser than

anyone in anything it would be in this

that as I have no adequate knowledge of

things in the Underworld so I do not

think I have

Socrates tells the jury that if he were

acquitted on condition that he gave up

the practice of philosophy he would

never accept it he says he would rather

obey the gods than men and as long as he

draws breath and is able he will

continue to ask his fellow Athenians why

they care so much about wealth

reputation and honor while not giving a

thought to wisdom truth or the state of

their soul he gets to a point where he

says that he is no longer making a

defense for himself but for those who

would unjustly execute an innocent man

even if they kill him they cannot harm

him and he says that his accusers will

suffer far more harm by acting so

immorally Socrates believes that in fact

the gods themselves placed him in the

city to Rouse the people from their

sleep and this is how he puts it I was

attached to the city by the god though

it seems a ridiculous thing to say as

upon a great and Noble horse which was

somewhat sluggish because of its size

and needed to be stirred up by a kind of

gadfly it is to fulfill some such

function that I believe the God has

placed me in the city I never cease to

Rouse each and every one of you to

persuade and reproach you all day long

long and everywhere I find myself in

your company another such man will not

easily come to be among you gentlemen

and if you believe me you will spare me

we then reach one of the most intriguing

passages where Socrates describes the

Divine sign that he heard as a voice

ever since he was a child I have a

Divine or spiritual sign which melitus

has ridiculed in his deposition this

began when I was a child it is a voice

and whenever it speaks it turns me away

from something I'm about to do but it

never encourages me to do anything

this is what has prevented me from

taking part in public affairs and I

think it was quite right to prevent me

be sure men of Athens that if I had long

ago attempted to take part in politics I

should have died long ago and benefited

neither you nor myself do not be angry

with me for speaking the truth no man

will survive who genuinely imposes you

or any other crowd and prevents the

occurrence of many unjust and illegal

happenings in the city a man who really

fights for justice must lead a private

not a public life if he is to survive

for even a short time

Socrates begins to wrap up his defense

saying that since he never charged for a

conversation or teaching like the sofas

did he was nobody's teacher and

therefore not responsible for the good

or bad conduct of those who happen to be

listening when he was debating people in

public he says he will not use emotional

tricks like crying and begging or seek

Sympathy by bringing the sons he will

leave behind to court he will only rely

on good arguments and Truth to win his

case

but he does not win the verdict is

Guilty by a narrow margin and melitus

asks for the penalty of death with such

high stakes Athenian law required that

both the prosecutor and the defendant

proposed the penalty for the charges the

punishment Socrates proposes is probably

the funniest part of this whole speech

what counter assessment should I propose

to you men of Athens clearly it should

be a penalty I deserve and what do I

deserve to suffer or to pay because I've

deliberately not led a quiet life but

have neglected what occupies most people

wealth household Affairs the position of

general or public orator or the other

offices the political clubs and factions

that exist in the city I thought myself

too honest to survive if I occupied

myself with those things I did not

follow that path that would have made me

of no use either to you or to myself but

I went to each view privately and

conferred upon him what I say is the

greatest benefit by trying to persuade

him not to care for any of his

belongings before caring that he himself

should be as good and as wise as

possible not to care for the city's

possessions more than for the city

itself and to care for other things in

the same way what do I deserve for being

such a man some good men of Athens if I

must truly make an assessment according

to my desserts and something suitable

what is suitable for a poor benefactor

who needs Leisure to exhort you nothing

is more suitable gentlemen than for such

a man to be fed in the titanium much

more suitable for him than for anyone of

you who has won a victory at Olympia

with a pair or a team of Horses The

Olympian Victor makes you think yourself

happy I make you be happy besides he

does not need food but I do so if I must

make a just assessment of what I deserve

I assess it as this free meals in the

titanium of course this does not work

and Socrates is finally sends to death

his closing remarks speak for themselves

it is for the sake of a short time men

of Athens that you will acquire the

reputation and the guilt in the eyes of

those who want to denigrate the city of

having killed Socrates a wise man for

they who want to revile you will say

that I am wise even if I am not if you

had waited but a little while this would

have happened on its own accord you see

my age that I am already advanced in

years and close to death I am saying

this not to all of you but to those who

condemn me to death and to these same

ones I say perhaps you think that I was

convicted for lack of such words as

might have convinced you if I thought I

should say or do all I could to avoid my

sentence far from it I was convicted

because I lacked not words but boldness

and shamelessness and the willingness to

say to you what you would most gladly

have heard from me Lamentations and

tears and my saying in doing many things

that I say are Unworthy of me but that

you are accustomed to hear from others I

did not think then that the danger I ran

should make me do anything mean nor do I

now regret the nature of my defense

I would much rather die after this kind

of Defense than live after making the

other kind neither I nor any other man

should on trial or in war can try to

avoid death at any cost indeed it is

often obvious in battle that one could

escape death by throwing away one's

weapons and by turning to supplicate

one's pursuers and there are many ways

to avoid death in every kind of danger

if one will venture to do or say

anything to avoid it it is not difficult

to avoid death gentlemen it is much more

difficult to avoid wickedness for it

runs faster than death slow and elderly

as I am I've been caught by the slower

pursuer or as my accusers being clever

and sharp I've been caught by the

quicker wickedness

I Leave You Now condemned to death by

you but they are condemned by truth to

wickedness and Injustice so I maintain

my assessment and they maintain theirs

this perhaps had to happen and I think

it is as it should be

Socrates continues by essentially saying

that he will come back with a vengeance

and that though they were trying to

avoid accounting for themselves by

silencing his questions now they will

not just be dealing with Socrates

questions but the questions of all who

will be inspired by his death he tells

them that you are wrong if you believe

that by killing people you will prevent

anyone from reproaching you for not

living in the right way to escape such

tests is neither possible nor good but

it is best and easiest not to discredit

others but to prepare oneself to be as

good as possible

he notes how while his Divine sign had

held him back from speaking at times in

the past not once during the entire

process of this trial did it oppose him

this is why he was so Serene about

everything saying that it was as it

should be he says he believes the reason

for this is that death may be a good

thing there is good hope that death is a

blessing fruit is one of two things

either the dead or nothing and have no

perception of anything or it is as we

are told a change in a relocating for

the soul from here to another place

if it is complete lack of perception

like a dreamless sleep then death would

be a great Advantage for I think that if

one had to pick out that night during

which a man slept soundly and did not

dream put beside it the other nights and

days of his life and then see how many

days and nights had been better and more

pleasant than that night not only a

private person but the great king would

find them easy to count compared with

the other days and nights I know this is

confusing what he's saying is that few

days or nights in your life are better

than the nights where you sleep soundly

and don't dream if death is like this I

say it is an advantage for all eternity

would then seem to be no more than a

single night

if on the other hand death is a change

from here to another place and what we

are told is true and all who have died

are there what greater blessing could

there be Gentlemen of the jury he then

goes on to list all the legendary Kings

Heroes and Poets who he'd get to spend

the Afterlife with and then he says my

absolute favorite line in this whole

dialogue I just think it's so sweet and

admirable that he says that if there is

a life after death he would spend it

doing the same thing he's always done

Socrates says I could spend my time

testing and examining people there as I

do here as to who among them is wise and

who thinks he is but is not what would

one not give Gentlemen of the jury for

the opportunity to examine the man who

led the Great Expedition against Troy or

odessius or Sisyphus and innumerable

other men and women one could mention it

would be an extraordinary happiness to

talk with them to keep company with them

and examine them in any case they would

certainly not put one to death for doing

so

and so Socrates reminds us to be in Good

Hope regarding death and keep one truth

in mind that a good man cannot be harmed

either in Life or in death and that his

Affairs are not neglected by the gods

Socrates wasn't angry at all and didn't

blame them he only asks that when his

sons grow up if they seem to care for

money or anything else more than they

care about virtue to reproach them as I

reproach you so that's the trial of

Socrates As Told by Plato's apology what

a guy what a dialogue I mean it's not

really a dialogue like the others as

we'll see but still we get a great look

into many of the main points of Socrates

philosophy though he never says the

exact phrase I know that I know nothing

he still gives us his most famous

expression of the sentiment by saying

that when I do not know neither do I

think I know we can clearly see that

Socrates wasted no time by trying to

save himself but instead cleared his

name and once again used any opportunity

he could get to challenge the people

around him to care more for their souls

than for material things anyways that's

all for today we'll be continuing to

cover the trial of Socrates with the

four dialogues youth refro Credo Mino

and the Fado so keep an eye out for all

of those don't forget to like the video

If you learned something new make sure

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definitely let me know what you think in

the comments below thanks for watching

and I'll see you next week

foreign

[Music]

[Laughter]