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Plato's The Apology is an account of the defense Socrates makes for himself at the trial in

which he is charged with impiety/ atheism, inventing new deities and corrupting the youth. The

title Apology, however, is not a verbal expression of remorse, but the word apology in Socrates’

time (399 BC) derives from the Greek word apologia, meaning explanation, defense, or a speech

made in defense. Therefore, in The Apology, Socrates attempts to defend himself against the

accusations made against him by Anytus, Lycon, and Meletus who was the main accuser of the

three. Socrates’ punishment if found guilty of atheism and corruption of the youth was the death

penalty.

The prologue (17a-19a), in which the trial begins, Socrates explains who he is and the

type of life he has led. In addressing the men of Athens, Socrates sets the tone of dialogue by

wittingly claiming that he almost forgot who he was, due to accusations presented against him.

Acknowledging that the accusations and his accusers are extreme and totally unlike his character.

In the beginning of Socrates defense Socrates states “I put myself in the justice of what I say” in

essence Socrates opens the answer to the essential question, who is Socrates?

Socrates addresses the first set of false charges (19a - 24a) that followed him for years which

were accusations of being a sophist (19a-20c) ("investigating things beneath the earth and in the

skies" ) by stating that he does not receive a fee for teaching people, like sophists Gorgias,

Hippias, and Evanus. Socrates says that this questioning earned him the reputation of being an

annoying busybody. Socrates interpreted his life's mission as proof that true wisdom belongs to

the gods and that human wisdom and achievements have little or no value.
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Later, Socrates' Art and the Delphic Oracle in (20c-23c) states a friend of Socrates' went

to the Oracle and asked the priestess "Who is the wisest of mortals?" and the priestess replied:

"Socrates is the wisest." When Socrates heard this he was surprised, since he thought of himself

as "most ignorant." Socrates was most wise because he was aware of his ignorance. Profoundly,,

those around Socrates, those who claimed a "knowledge" in the sphere of values, were ignorant

of their ignorance which caused the general resentment toward Socrates and the reason the

charges were made against him.

Socrates then tackles the formal charges, corruption of the young and atheism. First,

arguing that no one would intentionally corrupt another person (because they stand to be harmed

by him at a later date). (25c-26a) If Socrates voluntarily harmed the youth, then (since evil begets

evil) they would harm him. And no rational person voluntarily harms himself.

Socrates then proceeds to deal with the second charge, that he is an atheist. He cross-

examines Meletus, who say that Socrates is an atheist who believes in spiritual agencies and

demigods, exposing Meletus’ contradictions. Socrates then goes as far as to say that it will not be

the formal charges which will destroy him, but rather the prejudice and slander. Continuing on in

the argument, Socrates addresses the issue of him being an atheist. With this accusation, he states

that Meletus has contradicted himself in saying that Socrates "believes in spiritual agencies and

demigods". Therefore, Socrates makes the argument that what will destroy him is the gossip and

slander. He makes the bold statement that he is not afraid of death.

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Socrates throughout the trial and his methods of reason, questioning, and logic was not

guilty of anything threatening to society. Yet, Socrates was guilty of the awakening of the mind

and introducing philosophy which would free the people of mental enslavement and

impoverished and inferior self doubts and fears. Socrates believed that a lawful superior, whether

human or divine, should be obeyed. If there is contradiction between the two the divine authority

should take precedence. "Gentlemen, I am your grateful and devoted servant, but I owe a greater

obedience to God than to you; and as long as I draw breath and have my faculties I shall never

stop practicing philosophy

In the end Socrates is found guilty by 30 votes. The penalty proposed is death but

Socrates has the opportunity to propose an alternate penalty. Socrates argues that since the

penalty should be something he deserves, and since he has spent his life freely offering his

service to the City, he deserves free meals for the rest of his life. In the final speeches (38c-42a)

the first speech is directed toward those who voted for his death; the second are for those who

voted for his release. To those who voted for his release (39e-42a) he asked the people by asking

them to "put goodness before selfish interests". This statement shows the jury that Socrates had

no hard feelings, but only wants the respect he deserves. To those who voted for his death

Socrates notes that his Diamon never attempted to dissuade him from anything that he said. So

this outcome must be for the good. After all, death is a deep sleep or a change in place. A deep

sleep is quite peaceful, more so than most of our waking days. If he were to enter Hades, on the

other hand, he would have the opportunity to meet all of the great Greek thinkers and heroes.

And here he could ask them the same questions that he asked the men of Athens. So in no will he

be harmed, for he will either sleep soundly or continue talking.

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In the end Socrates’ was condemned to death by the accusations of rubbish crimes

but justice did prevail. In the beginning Socrates stated that his justice was in his own words. The

truth was revealed and Socrates’ philosophy and words lives on forever and are universal.