English I – May 2021

Analytical Summary – Assignment - Internal Assessment

Aashna Doshi
B009

Text: Apology
By – Plato

The Apology by Plato is thought to be the most credible account of Socrates' defence of himself
before the Athenian Council that has been recorded. It should be noted that Socrates and Plato
defended the view that there’s objective truth and morality. Socrates, according to history, was
Plato's mentor in the sense that he taught him how to live a philosophical life. As a result,
Plato’s account of the trial may have been slightly skewed in favour of the man he saw as a
true hero.

The apology is Plato's account of the trial of Socrates which was held in 399BC as Socrates
attempts to defend himself and his conduct--certainly not to apologize for it. So, Socrates is
accused of corrupting the youth and impiety in this text; nevertheless, the impiety charge
finally turns into atheism. The dialog's contents are structured as follows. The first is an
opening comment made by Socrates about his speaking style. Then there's a rundown of
the precise claims levelled against him in relation to his life and daily actions. Socrates
responds in detail to each of the charges levelled against him. Following his defence, a
description of his effort to reduce the penalty imposed on him is provided. Lastly, Socrates
issues a prescient admonition to the judges for supposing that after passing sentence as a
punishment for his misdeeds, they will be at ease and have a clear conscience.

Socrates begins the dialogue with a short speech in which he apologises for the colloquial
style in which he will make his defence. The following is an excerpt from Socrates' defence
after he has been found guilty of all counts. Socrates begins his address by noting that
there are numerous reasons why he is not grieved by the vote of condemnation, "O men of
Athens." Socrates was surprised that the size of the majority voting against him was not
larger than it was after the vote was taken. By a margin of about 30 votes, Socrates is
declared guilty. In Athens, it was normal for a prisoner who had been sentenced to death
to propose a different punishment, which would be granted if authorised by a majority of
the judges. The penalty may be adjusted to a monetary fine, expulsion from the city fo r a
length of time, or any number of other options, all of which would be preferable to death.
Socrates now has the option to recommend a different punishment. He allowed himself to

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English I – May 2021
Analytical Summary – Assignment - Internal Assessment
Aashna Doshi
B009

be condemned to death rather than grovel before the judges for a less severe sentence his
resolve to die for the sake of truth.

There are two sets of final speeches. The first are to those who voted for his death; the second
are for those who voted for his acquittal. It is only in the latter speech that Socrates uses the
term "judges." At one point in the text, Socrates indicates that fearing death amounts to thinking
one is wise when one is not. Socrates demonstrates the divine nature that humanity can
attain when it searches for wisdom and when it strives to improve the soul. Socrates ends
the apology by commenting upon death. To fear death is a pretence of wisdom because it
is the appearance of knowing the unknown. Men fear death as the greatest of evils when
death, might be the greatest of goods Socrates is optimistic about the fate of the soul after
death. Either death is absolute nothingness utter unconsciousness or there is a change and
migration of the soul from this world to another. If the first case is true then death is a
great good similar to a peaceful slumber undisturbed by dreams and if the second case is
true then death is a great good because we will be able to converse with and question the
great man of the past. He also tells the jury members who voted against him that by
silencing their critic rather than listening to him, they have done far more harm to
themselves than to him. In the immortal words of Socrates “The hour of departure has
arrived, and we go our ways - I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.”

Additional Information

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/e/euthyphro-apology-crito-and-phaedo/summary-and-
analysis/apology
https://open.library.okstate.edu/introphilosophy/chapter/an-introduction-to-platos-apology/
The first article is a comprehensive and in-depth review of Socrates' trial. The second article is
a philosophical review and analysis of the text. It also provides a brief overview of how
philosophy developed in the west by looking at some key elements of Plato’s Apology.
For more, refer to the link above.

Plagiarism Count- 18%

Software Used- https://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-checker/

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