In the Apology, written by Plato, Socrates is on trial for seducing youth and not believing in the gods. Today, this is generally seen as a crime, although at the time Athens needed a shooter and Socrates was a perfect fit. Socrates was very strong, he asked about legal matters and about government and tyrants. Socrates continues his defense in an unexpected and unique way. He manages to dance around the matter for a long time while making a decent defense and pointing fingers at the accusers. . Nevertheless, he still condemned Socrates and sent him to be put to death. Although this may not appear to be the case, I believe that Socrates was. In the Apology, Socrates uses many rhetorical techniques and techniques to make his case for philosophical beliefs, values, and virtues.
Most of Socrates’ defense can be divided into three categories; logos, pathos and ethos. Logos can be defined as actual argumentative points, pathos can be defined as an appeal to the audience’s emotions, and ethos can be defined as challenging the audience about their own character and what they believe to be good character. Socrates uses extemporaneous speech, “I use,” he says, “the words … that occur to me now” (19). But clearly several times in his head before giving. The speech, when it is extemporaneous, has a very natural and relaxed feeling. Because of this, it makes the audience more relaxed, approachable and receptive to the speech, than against a speech that was read word for word on paper.
Socrates’ defense takes the form of a hermeneutic circle. Understanding, in order to fully understand the argument, must be looked at as a whole speech, and each individual thing and each level of the argument in other levels, as well as in the whole argumentation. In this regard, looking at the whole argument helps to clarify some finer points. Another technique Socrates uses to argue the accusers is sarcasm. In the first paragraph of the speech he says to his accuser: “Persuasive words almost made me forget who I was” (19). He also shows how the sophists can believe anything. Socrates, having taken more offensive counsel than defense, discusses all his opinions. In a mock debate with a common citizen of Athens, he calls him, “a great and great and wise citizen of the city of Athens” (30). Looking at the historical context of the trial, it is the right of the Athenians to lose more after the war. The eminence and glory of the Athenians has almost passed away; Socrates has no doubt whether he is a scoffer or not.
Socrates begins his defense by showing modesty, that the people may receive him. In the prologue or prologue, Socrates says, “give me one favor… if you hear me using the same words, do not interrupt me… for this is the first time I am more than seventy.” that I had ever appeared in court” (19). In a word, he sympathizes with being old, asking for modesty. and to give him one favor, and to approve of how he had never before been in court.
It is next to the defence, with the old accusers more than with them, what he is going to say in the case itself. This makes them decide their behavior, and they try to wash away some of the preconceptions and prejudices that the judges have grown up believing. He his old accusers says, “They have taken possession of their minds with falsities” and that he is, “Death. He fears what is here of his accuser (20) For he knows that without those ancient crimes he cannot obtain fair and just judgments. socratic-method”>Socrates methodically goes through his defense, covering all the bases and knowing that he must establish new records. for himself.
Socrates tells the story of the oracle, his life and behavior, when he tries to establish his faith in the Gods. Socrates’ friend goes to the oracle and asks if who is wiser than Socrates, to whom the oracle answers. “No one was a wiser man” (22). At first Socrates does not believe this, and by seeking and avoiding all those who believe themselves to be wise, he decides to seek for himself. he accepted the mission of life, saying: “Necessity is placed in me, the word of God” (23). Socrates describes his way of life by boldly stating: “This is the duty that God has imposed on me”, and he does not want to change the way he lives to please others (34). Socrates will never let go of his philosophical mission and way of life, since that would be “disobedience to the divine commandment” (37).
Socrates describes his philosophical mission and how he went around questioning every person he could find. When he noticed that one such person was only wise, Socrates describes the discussion and the statement: “I made him another enemy, and many more in him” (23). No one wants to be a fool when he thinks he is wise. He says that “Because he was angry with himself” that people became “He was angry with me” (24). He confirms this point by showing how all his accusers represent a class of men, how imprudent and falsely wise they have been. Meletus poets, Anytus artists, Lycon rhetoricians or sophists. Socrates adds to the legitimate cause by speaking of the oracle, while he takes away the legitimacy from his accusers with their fables.
Another, that it was necessary to establish Socrates in the first place, how different he was from the sophists. Sophists used rhetoric to win every argument, regardless of right or wrong, truth or falsity. They teach the ability to use rhetorical techniques to make any point sound, and so they taught many leading and noble Athenians politicians. Many of these are eminent politicians, who question the same Socrates. After the fall of Athens, many sophists were blamed for the moral decline in the city. Socrates also used the art of speaking rhetorically, and therefore he was united with this group. Socrates’ accusers warned the audience to beware of their eloquence, and Socrates protested, “Unless they want the force of truth by the force of eloquence” (19).
Socrates also mentions several noble philosophers of the time and how much money they make. I ought, says he, to have been very proud, to have had the power to teach humane and political virtues, and consequently to have such knowledge. Faith is also thrown at the accusers, when he says: Let the speaker judge justly and speak truthfully (20). Here he tells his listeners how to speak honestly and justly, and his accusers to speak in the same way. It was important in the beginning of Socrates’ defense to establish his manners and separate himself from the sophists.
At the beginning of the speech, as stated above, Socrates speaks of wanting to have the ability to teach human and political courage. But then virtue had a different meaning than it does today. For virtue signifies acquired or learned knowledge. The Greek word is excellence, arete, not excellence of talent, but excellence of some thing or art. But Socrates was the author of modern ethics. His teaching changed the meaning of virtue to mean a characteristic quality of mind, importance, and service. He also changed the meaning of arete, in the same sense. And therefore when he says that he wants to have those human virtues, he does not mean the goodness of the soul, but rather to teach political skills. Socrates does not consider the general sense of the word “teacher”. It doesn’t teach people what to think, but it helps them howto.
Socrates uses several tactics, such as asking his accusers questions that they cannot answer or prove with facts. One of the ways in which he does this is by using it when democracy was restored to Athens. After the government was restored, the government passed a law stating that no one could be held accountable for any actions or crimes against the state prior to 404 B.C. Several tyrants were in the power of Socrates’ disciples in one, and therefore helped to bring Socrates into disrepute. Socrates asks the accusers if they know that he was named in any public business before this time. The accuser, of course, cannot answer this. He speaks more about this though, saying, “I have no disciples of truth, but if anyone wants to come and hear me… let him come freely” (33). Again, Socrates talks about how a teacher is not in the common definition of the word. And he criticized himself, because his listener, “Whether he is bad or good, that cannot be justly argued, that I never taught” (33).
Socrates uses another rhetorical strategy to put the thoughts of the judges in their minds. In mock questioning by a member of the jury, he says that he should be, “I’m sorry to judge you so hastily” (22). It helps their cause by planting positive thoughts in their heads. It also uses a series of logical questions or statements that must end with a necessary and desired outcome. For example, after a series of questions from Socrates, “If he whom I live for is corrupted by me, he is very likely to be harmed, and yet I corrupt willingly?” (XXVII). Socrates uses his superior intelligence and the advantages of envy to support his cause.
The greater part of his defense says that the common people and the judges have the virtues which the people know they ought to have. Socrates says, “A man to whom the good of a thing is, must not calculate the reason of living or dying”, but rather consider if what he does is “right or wrong” (29). He says that he wants, “Never to fear or avoid the possible good”, as he regards his philosophies and his life (30). Later on in the speech, Socrates drags with difficulty, while he pours out his philosophies and doctrines to the judges. He says that he never puts down philosophy in any matter, and asks the jurors: “Why is it about the sum of money and honor and fame,” rather than about “The greatest improvement of mind.” (30). Socrates talks about the definition of the name virtue, saying that virtue is not given by money, but by virtue. Even after the sentence, Socrates does not stop preaching to the audience, but rather increases what he says. He says obtusely: “I claim that I have never hurt anyone on purpose” (37). Socrates also says that a just man is not concerned with private interests, but with “strength and wisdom”, which is one reason why Socrates himself is so poor (36). Socrates uses his rhetorical skills and strategies to highlight the judgment and frequency of a better life.
Socrates offers a full and profound defense, and does not dare to state or descend his principles. that is one of the reasons that his speech was really successful. He seemed less innocent than he cared about enlightening his audience in every way. Socrates affirms that he does not have “the impudence or the impudence or the inclination to address you as you would have me… weeping and wailing and lamenting” (38). The purpose of Socrates’ speech was to show his listeners the truth behind their behavior, and if it became innocence, it would be of no use. In fact, he hoped that he would be convicted and only, “I was surprised that the votes were so nearly equal” (36). Socrates happy with that changed a few minds that were among the judges that day. He says a lot knowing that he will surely anger and irritate his audience. Several times in his speech he says, “Don’t interrupt me, even if I say something luxurious” (22). Socrates goes on to say that the most honest people, whom some accuse and judge on that day, are often “the most stupid” (23).
An interesting fact is that more people voted for Socrates to get the death penalty than decided to convict him. After the verdict was given, he again deliberately provoked and angered the crowd. he does not fear his own death at all. It is also commented: “No one knows whether death . . . is not the highest good” (30). He hopes that his death will make the future better, and set an example for society. What Socrates also says, “the difficulty is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding injustice” (38). For he knew that he would be found innocent if he said what the crowd wanted to hear, but if he wanted to stick to his principles. The last thing which Socrates says confirms his own mind and the admiration of the judges for what they have done. Socrates says, “The hour of departure has come, and we go our ways – I die, and you live. Only God knows what is better” (41). Socrates fears nothing about death, nor does he change his principles. His speech to Socrates is not innocent in mind, but rather to show the judges what his precepts and beliefs are. That has changed a few minds, Socrates is quite successful, and continues to state how his death will be more good for society.
In the Apology Socrates gives perhaps one of the speeches always given. However, scholars have always been confused as to whether this was the real Socrates speaking, remembered word for word by Plato; or if Plato had rather put the words into Socrates’ mouth, he would have given him the defense that Socrates wanted. It is known as the Socratic problem. Whether or not the speech proceeds from the literal mouth of Socrates, it shows all his virtues, beliefs, and principles. Personally, as I think, the speech from Socrates was true, and it was a success. He could have easily obtained it, but rather he wanted to enlighten the audience. If Plato had made a speech, he would have given Socrates an irrefutable defense, and would have wanted to rebuke the judges cruelly, because they did not make him innocent. But he deliberately provokes Socrates and provokes him to anger, and never withdraws from his opinions. Indeed, Socrates’ death proved to be a greater good for society, which we still talk about and learn from his teachings today.
