Apology of Socrates in Plato\'s

Apology of Socrates

In Plato's the Apology of Socrates, Socrates gives his defense speech after being charged with not recognizing Gods that are recognized by the State, creating new Gods, and corrupting the Athenian youths. Socrates' "apology" is not an apology to anyone, but it is rather, a defense he has made for himself; however, in this defense, Socrates does not take the usual defensive stance, as he is still philosophical in his words. The Apology of Socrates is a special piece of work because it blends philosophical musings with a very literature-like structure.

Socrates is asked to pick a sentence for himself and he, tauntingly, states that he would like to eat a great meal. He then becomes much more serious and states that he does not want to be imprisoned or exiled, but then says he could pay a fine. This amount, however, seems to small when the judges look at what he has done and so they vote for the death penalty. The fine is then raised a great deal by Socrates' supporters as a way to avoid death, but the judges decide on the death penalty. Socrates will drink hemlock -- i.e., poison -- and die. Socrates does not argue against the penalty he has been given, but instead he issues a warning to the jury saying that they have hurt themselves more than they have hurt him. He states that a man in his dying hour has the gift of prophesy, "And I prophesy to you who are my murderers, that immediately after my death punishment far heavier than you have inflicted on me will surely await you." Socrates knows that his followers will be very adamant and strong after he has gone and that men cannot expect to be happy when they censor others, the only way man can be happy is to make themselves better people.

Socrates then says that he is not worried about dying because how can he be afraid of something that he doesn't understand or know? If death is just a state of not being or of "utter unconsciousness," what is to be afraid of in that? He says that even if death is not utter consciousness but more like a sleep that one can never wake from but where he dreams, then this sounds like a nice place to be. He even goes so far as to say that if in death he can talk with Orpheus, Musaeus, Homer and Hesiod, death will be worth it. He says, "Nay, if this be true, let me die again and again."

One of the most profound statements that Socrates offers to his true "judges" is that nothing bad can happen to a good man, so they should not worry about him. "…no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death. He and his are not neglected by the gods."