Apology by Socrates: An Analysis

It is interesting to discuss on the defense of Socrates in the Apology in order to understand his other writings that are related in the topic. It could be remembered that on 399 BC, Socrates was tried for various reasons. During the trial of his life, Plato was able to take note of his defense via his writings on the Apology which moved the people. Doing the right thing is better for Socrates instead of saving his life. In other words, he would take the punishment of the crime he did not commit just to change society for the better. Socrates want to die in defense of his ideas that is for the good rather than live but allowing the people to suffer.

The primary purpose of Socrates in giving the Apology is to reveal the ignorance of the people who accused him of any crime. His words are full of virtue, wisdom, and nobility which was well understood at present time. The moral truths he presented in the Apology was not for the purpose of clearing his name but for the purpose of raising the bar of justice in favor of the majority which would survive after him. The charges against Socrates is corrupting the youth, the introduction of new gods, and atheism. By these criminal charges, he only meant in teaching new heirarchy or structures of wisdom and nobility for men in all walks of life to improve. What he want is for the people to examine their souls and not the value of their wealth and power. For him, being greedy and ignorant is filthy and getting wealth at the expense of another is the real sin and not his plight in teaching moral values.

Lastly, Socrates does not give more attention on external advantages but on the ability of men to keep their souls clean and free from greed of power and wealth. His accusers, the prosecutors, and even the judges or magistrates never thought of these things which made it clear that they are those people who are really ignorant. Socrates was also accused of being impious despite the fact that he just want to share his own ideas with respect to religion. In other words, there is no freedom of religion during the time of Socrates. Hence, he suffered from the acts of his accusers without no valid reason at all. It was just that the Athenian political leaders are unmindful of the real scenario relating to the accusation against Socrates.