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Apology

By Plato

Plato's Apology presents Socrates' defence at his trial in Athens in 399 BCE. Answering charges of corrupting the young and religious impiety, Socrates explains his practice of questioning supposed experts, examines his accuser Meletus, and defends philosophy as a service to the city. After his conviction, he refuses to preserve his life by abandoning his principles and reflects on justice, integrity and the meaning of death.

Translator or editor
Benjamin Jowett
Publication
c. 399 BCE (dramatic date); composed c. 390s BCE
Genre
Socratic dialogue; philosophical courtroom speech
Era
Ancient Philosophy

About this work

Apology is Plato's philosophical presentation of Socrates' defence before an Athenian jury in 399 BCE. Here “apology” means a formal defence rather than an admission of fault. Socrates responds to accusations that he corrupts young people and fails to recognise the gods of Athens. He begins with older rumours that depict him as a paid teacher and speculative natural philosopher. He traces his actual reputation to the Delphic oracle's claim that no one was wiser than Socrates. By questioning politicians, poets and craftsmen, he discovered that many people claimed knowledge they did not possess. His distinctive wisdom consists in recognising the limits of his understanding. Socrates cross-examines Meletus and exposes tensions within the formal accusations. The dialogue then moves beyond the immediate case. Socrates argues that philosophical examination is a divine and civic duty: citizens should care for wisdom, truth and the condition of their souls before wealth or reputation. After being convicted, Socrates refuses to secure acquittal or exile by promising silence. He maintains that wrongdoing is worse than death and considers death either a peaceful absence of sensation or a continuation of inquiry elsewhere. The work examines intellectual humility, moral courage, civic responsibility and the conflict between conscience and popular judgement. Plato portrays a person who loses his trial while remaining faithful to the principles by which he has chosen to live.

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