Plato’s Apology: The Trial of Socrates

You could be watching this video for two possible reasons. One, you're interested in philosophy. Or two, you're in a philosophy class and have a paper due on this tomorrow. But instead of reading it, you decided to go to that party and flirt with Jennifer from statistics. And now you're here wondering if it was worth it to spend your night like that. And let me tell you, it probably was. Plato's dialogue is not named The Apology because Socrates apologizes. Far from it. He doubles down and defends his actions. No, it's actually called The Apology because Plato knew how many intro to philosophy students would have to read this book instead of making progress with Jennifer. But really, apologia in Greek means defense. So that's exactly what Socrates is going to do. Defend himself in court. The dialogue is broken up into this structure. Socrates defends his conduct. The court finds him guilty and considers the death penalty. Socrates discusses what the right punishment should be. The jury sentences Socrates to death. And Socrates gives one last speech on death and morality. Now these Athenian juries were huge. Not like we have here in the US. It was like a stadium. And Plato claims he was in that crowd, but let's be real. He probably didn't get down word for word what was said. So the historical accuracy of this is a bit mixed. Anyways, let's actually ask what Socrates is on trial for. He actually addresses multiple accusers in this case. But the one of importance comes a little bit in. Around section 24c from a man named Melodas. Melodas claims that Socrates corrupts the young and doesn't believe in gods, but other spiritual things. So there's kind of two charges levied at him here. Socrates is guilty of corrupting the young and of not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other new spiritual things. Such is their charge. Let us examine it point by point. So Socrates is given the opportunity to cross-examine Melodas. And the back and forth goes something like this. Is it important that young men be as good as possible? Yes. What improves them? The laws. Who has knowledge of the laws? The jury. All of them? Yes. What about the audience and the counselors? Them as well. And assembly members? Yes, also them. So this is where Socrates springs his trap. He's like, Look, you kind of just admitted that everyone in Athens seems to be making the young into good citizens. Except for me, of course. This shows that you're really just indifferent about all this. But while that is a bit of a rhetorical jab, it's not fully convincing because it just attacks Melodas' character, not the actual charges. So Socrates brings his attention to them next. As for corrupting the young, Socrates asks, Do wicked people do harm to people closest to them, whereas good people benefit those closest to them? Yes, that's true. But does anyone want to be harmed? No. Now do you accuse me of corrupting the young and worsening them deliberately, or unwillingly? Deliberately. So I'm deliberately making them wicked. But you said that the wicked do harm to those closest to them, which would be me in this case. So why would I intentionally bring harm to myself, you dumbass? Okay, that last part wasn't part of the dialogue. I hate to admit it. So Socrates addresses the issue of corrupting the young. But he also needs to address the whole not believing in gods but other spiritual things thing. Because these two charges kind of tie into each other. Meletus believes Socrates is corrupting the young by not believing in gods. So Socrates starts by clarifying the position. You say I corrupt by teaching that there are no gods, but other spiritual things, whatever that means. Yes, you don't believe in gods at all. Now does anyone who believe in spiritual things or spiritual activities not believe in spirits? No one. And are spirits gods themselves or children of gods? Yes. But you claim I believe in spiritual activities, therefore I believe in spirits. And therefore, according to you, I believe in gods. So you think with the prosecution tripping over themselves that Socrates would win the trial, right? Well, you know what eventually happens to him, so no. Socrates is found guilty. Now the death sentence is on the table. But there's a possibility of exile if Socrates just keeps his mouth shut and stops philosophizing. This is his response to that. It is the greatest good for a man to discuss virtue every day for the unexamined life is not worth living for man. So he's pretty much telling the jury, look, I'm not stopping. What I'm doing is good and righteous. And even if you try to get me to stop after this as a punishment, I won't stop. He tells the jury that maybe he should just be fined and Plato can pay a couple bucks to get him released. But the jury doesn't go that way. Now this post-death sentence speech is probably the most important part of the dialogue because Socrates talks about the nature of death and some other ethical musings. First, he restates that he regrets nothing and would rather be put to death than to succumb to wickedness like Miletus and those who sentenced him. It is not difficult to avoid death, gentlemen of the jury. It is much more difficult to avoid wickedness for it runs faster than death. He even is able to prophesize that a fate much worse than death shall fall on them. I mean, after all these years later, we generally hold Socrates in high regard historically. And to those who read this dialogue, we view Miletus and the accusers in a negative light. So perhaps Socrates was onto something when he claimed that wickedness is worse than death. Because wickedness sticks with you even after you're gone. Vengeance will come upon you immediately after my death. A vengeance much harder to bear than that which you took in killing me. Finally, Socrates talks about what death even means and why he doesn't fear it. If you've read the later dialogues, you'll know that he has opportunities to escape this death sentence. But he doesn't. He faces it head on. But why is this? Well, for Socrates, death could be one of two things. One, it could be how we understand death to be. A lack of perception and nothingness. But Socrates equates this to a great sleep. A sleep which we've all had glimpses of here and there and have enjoyed. Man, I love sleep so much. It's probably one of my favorite things in life. But if it's not this, Socrates believes death will involve his soul going from one place to another. And in the afterlife, he can discuss and philosophize with much more people. Much more famous people even, like Homer or Odysseus. I'm sure Socrates is just aching to talk to those guys. But ultimately, death is an unknown. But you know what isn't unknown? Being wicked and doing evil. And to Socrates, it's better to leap into the unknown than to do wrong in this world. And that, my friends, is Plato's Apology. There's obviously stuff I left out, so if you do have the opportunity, I'd recommend reading it yourself. But if you've got a Jennifer in your life and don't have the time, then I understand that as well. All I ask is that you like the video, subscribe, and share it if you know someone who'd enjoy it. And with that, I wish you all a beautiful rest of your day.