Apology of Socrates

Apology of Socrates (Apologia Sokratous, ‘speech in defence of Socrates’). 1. The speech, as related by Plato, made by Socrates in the Athenian law-courts in answer to the charge of impiety that was brought against him. How far it represents the words actually used by Socrates is unknown.

Socrates distinguishes between previous vague accusations (that he speculated about physical questions, and made the worse cause appear the better) and the specific charge of impiety now brought by Meletus. On the former, he explains that he is neither a sophist nor a natural philosopher; his only wisdom consists in knowing that he knows nothing. Instigated by an oracle, he has sought constantly to find a wiser man than himself, but has found none. He has gone to those who had a reputation for wisdom, and finding they had none has tried to convince them of his; this has provoked their enmity and given rise to these accusations. Socrates turns next to Meletus and cross-examines him on his particular charge. He then addresses the judges and declares himself unrepentant: he will persist in the practices complained of, for he must continue, in obedience to the divine voice, to preach the necessity of virtue. If they kill him, they will be injuring themselves, for he is the gadfly sent by the gods to stir Athens to life.

Socrates is convicted and the death penalty is proposed. The speech assumes a loftier tone. Why should he propose an alternative punishment? As a benefactor of Athens he ought to be rewarded. Imprisonment, exile, a fine, would certainly be evils, but as for death he does not know whether it is an evil or a good. Nevertheless he suggests a fine of thirty minas, which his friends will guarantee since he himself has no money. He is sentenced to death, and in his final words prophesies that many will arise after his death to condemn his judges. He comforts his friends with regard to his own fate, for death is either a dreamless sleep or a journey to a place of true justice, where he will be able to converse with Hesiod and Homer and the heroes. Nothing evil can happen to a good man; if he is to die, it must be better for him. He forgives his accusers and judges.

2. An account by Xenophon of Socrates' defence in the same trial. At the time Xenophon was taking part in the expedition of Cyrus (see ANABASIS), and he relies on the authority of Hermogenēs, a friend of Socrates who is mentioned in Plato's Phaedo as present at the execution. This account is intended to bring out especially that Socrates was willing to die, not for the spiritual reasons given by Plato, in (1) above, but in order to escape the disabilities of old age. His pleas are here stated with less elaboration than by Plato.