Critical Evaluation Of Plato's Apology Essays Examples

The Apology is a piece of literature written by Plato. Plato’s’ Apology is the interpretation and reminiscence of Socrates trial. Plato writes about life and trial of Socrates. In the apology, Socrates defends himself and his conduct, and does not apologize for his actions. The apology begins with Socrates giving an account of charges brought up against him in court. Socrates defended himself in the court and gave reasons why he followed his philosophy, but in the end, he was sentenced and executed. Among the charges leveled against Socrates that Plato writes about are teaching people not to believe in he gods, impiety, corrupting the young people with his philosophy, and that he was a sophists, and lastly, he was a person who attributes natural events to geological and astronomical phenomena, instead of attributing them to the gods. In the apology, Plato uses Socrates’ exact words while he was making his speech to defend himself against the arguments leveled against him. Plato wrote the apology to defend the innocence of Socrates.
Plato was Socrates’ follower and he passed on his knowledge to him. Plato wrote the apology to defend his teacher and portray him as an honest and innocent person. In addition, Socrates had built a status among his disciples, therefore, Plato wrote The Apology to preserve his teacher’s reputation. Socrates is a philosopher who had influenced many people, predominantly the youths of Athens.
The main reason Plato wrote the apology is to defend his teacher Socrates from the horrific Athenian justice. In an attempt to defend his teacher, Plato gives an account of Socrates philosophy and defends it as well. The Apology was successful because. Socrates was sophist who professed to know nothing, and therefore, he could not corrupt the youth as it was alleged. In his defense, Socrates made it apparent that, he was not proving his innocence for the charge in the disbelief of the gods, but for the other charges leveled against him. According to Socrates, he never attempted to coerce the youth or his other listeners to accept his ideas and philosophy nor did he indoctrinate his pupils to hold the same views as him. Plato writes that, his teacher only gave them ideas to think about their own lives and that was not wrong. Socrates was willing to accept responsibility if teaching the youth about life was a risk to the usual norms and customs of the state.
Since Plato was both Socrates’ ardent admirer and his student as well, it is believed that his version of the Apology could be in favor of his hero. Therefore, Plato’s account idealizes what he believed was true in defense of what his teacher taught him to believe. Plato wrote the apology to let the world know the positive side of his teacher and mentor and that he was executed wrongly. As Plato narrates the trial, it is evident that Socrates defended himself in a rational manner and honest manner against the accusations placed upon him. According to Plato, Socrates was a man who could never le for his freedom. He says “The claim I’m about to make is not my claim; I shall appeal to a reliable authority. I shall call the god at Delphi to give evidence to you about my wisdom; he can tell you if I really do possess any and what it is like” (Plato 22). In The Apology, it is clear that, Socrates had lived an honest life and he never compromised his beliefs while answering to his charges. In addition, he makes it clear to the judges that, all he was doing was not wrong. Plato writes his words “This is the truth, I assure you, men of Athens. I speak with absolutely no concealment or reservation. I’m pretty sure it’s the way of speaking which makes me unpopular. My unpopularity is the proof that I am speaking the truth” (Plato 22). Plato wrote the account with the exact words Socrates used while answering to his accuser jut to prove to the readers that his teacher was convicted wrongly and that he was a just and honest man who never corrupted anyone as accused. The Apology ends with Socrates’ last speech to the jury who condemned him to death. Socrates makes it clear to the judges that, history will condemn them for their actions. In addition, he never pleaded for his innocence because he believed that he had done nothing wrong.
In conclusion, Plato’s apology offers a verbal explanation in defense of Socrates by Plato. The Apology was successful because, Plato was able to reveal to the readers his teacher’s innocence and Socrates Philosophy that never harmed anyone. Plato explains what Socrates did and the reason why he was doing what he did. Plato writes an account defending his teacher from the Athenian law and system of justice. Plato explains Socrates philosophy in form of an account and Socrates behavior. In addition, he makes it obvious that, his teacher Socrates was honest and truthful while defending himself in his trials. Moreover, he gives the account using the exact words Socrates used during the trial. Plato was present at his teacher’s trial, sentence, and execution. The Apology is Plato's important works yet the most unrepresentative work. Plato gives Socrates’ last public speeches in addition to his life background and the events that lead to his trial and death.

Works Cited

Plato. Apology: On the Death of Socrates. New York: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 2010. Print.
Plato. The Apology. New York: Philosophical Society Series, 2014. Print.