Apology (Plato)

Lore & Background

Socrates protests that his accusers warned the audience against his eloquence, but he claims his language will be extemporaneous and in his common manner of interrogating respected Athenians. He argues that whatever wisdom he possesses comes from knowing that he knows nothing. During the trial, Socrates imitates, parodies, and corrects his accusers, asking the jury to judge him by the truth of his statements, not by oratorical skill. He says he will not use sophisticated language but will speak in the common idiom used in the agora. Although offered the opportunity to appease the jury's prejudices with a minimal concession, Socrates does not yield his integrity to avoid death. The jury condemns him to death. Socrates faced two sets of accusations: impiety against the pantheon of Athens by introducing new gods, and corruption of Athenian youth. He argues that old accusations arise from years of gossip and prejudice, and that the comic poet Aristophanes had lampooned him years earlier in the play The Clouds. Socrates also explains that young, rich men follow him about the city, observing his questioning, and then imitate his method, leading to resentment from those exposed as ignorant.

Reader's Guide

The Apology of Socrates is significant as one of the primary sources for understanding the trial and death of the philosopher Socrates, offering a detailed depiction of his legal self-defence. Written by Plato, it is an early philosophic defence of Socrates, presented in the form of a Socratic dialogue. Although Aristotle later classified it as a genre of fiction, it remains a useful historical source about Socrates. The work preserves the arguments Socrates used against charges of impiety and corruption, including his famous claim that his wisdom comes from knowing that he knows nothing. The dialogue also provides insight into the accusers—Anytus, Meletus, and Lycon—who represented the interests of politicians, craftsmen, poets, and rhetoricians. The Apology's legacy lies in its portrayal of Socrates' integrity: he refused to yield his principles even to avoid the death penalty. Scholars continue to debate the reliability of the account, but the dialogue remains central to Western philosophy and the historical understanding of Socrates' trial.

Did You Know?

• The Apology of Socrates is one of four Socratic dialogues—along with Euthyphro, Phaedo, and Crito—through which Plato details the final days of Socrates.
• During the trial, Socrates twice mentions that Plato is present at the trial (34a and 38b).
• Aristotle believed the dialogue, particularly the scene where Socrates questions Meletus, represented a good use of interrogation.
• The accusers of Socrates were Anytus, Meletus, and Lycon, who represented the interests of politicians, craftsmen, poets, and rhetoricians.