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APOLOGY OF SOCRATES and CRITO

APOLOGY OF SOCRATES and CRITO. Apology of Socrates. Socrates’ “Defense Speech” - Plato’s Defense of Philosophy. Structure of the Dialogue. Defense ( 17a-35d ) Old charges (17a-24b) in which he tells of his “mission” New charges (24b-28b) in which he examines Meletus

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APOLOGY OF SOCRATES and CRITO

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  1. APOLOGY OF SOCRATESandCRITO

  2. Apology of Socrates Socrates’ “Defense Speech” - Plato’s Defense of Philosophy

  3. Structure of the Dialogue • Defense (17a-35d) • Oldcharges (17a-24b) in which he tells of his “mission” • Newcharges (24b-28b) in which he examines Meletus • Way of life (28b-35d) in which he explains his values • Counterpenalty (35d-38c) • Final words (38e-42b)

  4. Response to the “Old Charges” • He does not: • “investigate things under earth or in heavens” • “make the worse argument stronger” • He takes no pay and is no “teacher” • Reputation for wisdom = “service to the god” • His “wisdom” = he “knows he does not know” (about the highest things) • vs. Sophistic ‘wisdom’ • vs. divine wisdom

  5. Response to the “New Charges” • How can he be guilty of “corrupting” others when no one willingly does harm? • How can he be guilty of “atheism” if he believes in “spiritual things”?

  6. WHO IS SOCRATES? • Skeptic/inquirer: story of his philosophic mission, contrast to sophists, gods 21a-23b • Moralist/fearless: principle of “never do wrong,” practice = “care for the soul” 28b-31b • Teacher: but does not take pay, does not ‘instruct’ (not didactic)

  7. Socrates’ Way of Life • Socrates “knows” he must never do wrong; must seek virtue and truth • Socrates = gadfly sent to Athens as gift from the gods • “the good man can’t be harmed”

  8. The Examined Life • “If I tell you that I do this as my duty to the god, you will think I am ironical. If I tell you I do this because it is the greatest good, and because the unexamined life is not worth living for a human being, you will believe me even less.” (38a)

  9. Final Words to “the [true] Jurors” • Proclaims again that “the good man can’t be harmed” • Argues “death may be a blessing, if it is endless sleep, or if there is an afterlife, in which we may converse with wise and good men.”

  10. Paradoxes in the Apology • Why doesn’t Socrates make a “better” speech (one that would get him free)? • Why does Socrates think “no man willingly does wrong”(25e)? • Does Socrates “not know” the highest things (21d), or does he “know” them (29b-e)? • Why does Socrates say “the good man can’t be harmed” (30d, 41d)? What does he mean? • Why does Socrates say “the unexamined life is not worth living for a human being”(38a)?

  11. Unresolved Issues • Is Socrates = a danger to the peace and security of Athens, or a godsend? • Is Socratic philosophy an enemy to the Greek religion, or religion in general, or a friend and natural companion? • Is Socrates’ serenity even in the face of death a merely personal quality, or is it somehow rooted in philosophy?

  12. CRITO: On Civil Obedience • Crito, a friend but not a philosopher, wants him to escape, save his life. • Should he do it? • Socrates’ gives a “Civic Contract” argument in response. • This = a model of moral reasoning • Based on right and wrong • Based on good and evil

  13. Socrates’ Argument –I: One should never do wrong • One should do what reason says is best.  46b • Life is not worth living if our soul* is corrupted.  48ad • Our soul/conscience is corrupted if we [knowingly] do wrong.  49a • Therefore we should never do wrong.  49b *Defined as conscience.

  14. II: It would be wrong to escape 49b-54b • It is wrong to: • return evil for evil; • violate a just agreement.        49b • If he breaks out, he will • do evil; • violate a just agreement        50a-51b • Therefore it is wrong to escape        54b III. Therefore Socrates should not do it. 54b-c

  15. 2nd argument: Also, escape will harm Socrates. • Escape will harm you/your loved ones.     • There is no good city to go to • It will destroy your life integrity.  • It will harm all your children54c • Therefore it is not best.            54d • Therefore Socrates should remain, even if he must die.      54d

  16. Questions • Was Socrates right? Is it better to die than to live dishonorably? [note: he was 70 years old] • When is civil disobedience justified, if ever? • Does Socrates contradict himself, when he seems to say • never do wrong in the Apology (29ce) • obey the laws in the Crito (even if unjust?) • Does the “persuade or obey” doctrine (51b, 52a) give him a way of avoiding self-contradiction?

  17. Socrates and Dr. King SOCRATES • The citizen has a moral duty to obey the laws of a free, democratic state • Implicit : the “moral anarchy” problem • What would he do if: - An unjust law were voted in by a majority? DR. KING • There is no moral duty to obey unjust laws • Unjust laws: • Are contrary to divine law • Are laws that degrade human personality • Are imposed on a minority but not the majority • Are imposed by a majority on a minority without a vote

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