Why Socrates Sees Philosophizing as a Divine Mandate

Apology

1. In Plato's Apology, Socrates begins by claiming he is not a skilled speaker like the sophists. This is ironic because he goes on to present an incredibly thoughtful, complex, and compelling defense. Socrates is contrasting himself with the Sophists, who were known for their ability to argue eloquently but not necessarily truthfully. This irony is a subtle dig at the sophists, suggesting that while they might be able to speak well, they lack the substance and truth that Socrates values.

2. The sophists were a group of professional teachers in ancient Greece who were experts in philosophy and rhetoric. They were known for their skill in argumentation and for their relativistic views on truth and morality, which often went against the commonly accepted norms and traditions. Because they challenged traditional beliefs and often questioned authority, they were seen as a threat to the established order.

3. In the Apology, the old charges against Socrates include corrupting the young and not believing in the gods of the state, but rather introducing new divinities. Socrates refutes these charges by examining the logic of his accusers and demonstrating their inconsistency. For example, he argues that no one would intentionally corrupt others because they would then have to live among the corrupted. The underlying insinuation of these charges is that Socrates is a negative influence on Athenian society.

4. Socrates claims that he is not interested in the same worldly matters that his accusers suggest he is. Instead, Socrates is interested in pursuing wisdom and knowledge. He suggests that his wisdom is the recognition of his own ignorance; he knows that he does not know, which makes him wiser than those who falsely believe they possess knowledge.

5. Socrates' reputation for wisdom comes from the Oracle at Delphi, who declared that no man is wiser than Socrates. This contrasts with Gilgamesh, who is celebrated for his heroic exploits and accomplishments, not for his wisdom.

6. When Socrates finds a man with a reputation for wisdom, he engages him in dialogue to test his wisdom. The three classes of people Socrates questions are politicians, poets, and craftsmen. He finds that politicians lack wisdom and virtue, poets cannot explain their own wisdom, and craftsmen mistake their specific skills for general wisdom.

7. Socrates concludes he is wiser than these others because he recognizes his own ignorance while they do not. This idea that knowing you know nothing is a form of wisdom promotes virtue and ethical living because it encourages constant learning, humility, and questioning, which are important for moral growth.

8. Socrates would rather die than give up philosophizing because his quest for truth and wisdom is the essence of who he is. He believes this pursuit is more valuable than life itself. He believes this because he sees his philosophizing not just as a casual hobby or a profession but as a divine mission mandated by the Oracle at Delphi. He believes that his duty to question, to investigate, and to seek the truth is a sacred one, and that abandoning this mission would be a form of impiety. Socrates’ statement that he would rather die than give up philosophizing is a testament to his commitment to this cause. It is his defining purpose.

9. Socrates claims he does not fear death because it is unknown and could be a blessing. To fear death is to pretend to know something one does not. In other words, fearing death equates to claiming knowledge of it, which would be presumptuous and false. Additionally, he posits that death could potentially be a blessing—either a peaceful, eternal rest (akin to a deep sleep) or a continuation of life in a different form, offering opportunities to meet the great thinkers and heroes of the past and continue his philosophical discussions.

10. Socrates's priorities in life are the pursuit of wisdom and moral integrity, in contrast to most other men who prioritize wealth, reputation, and physical pleasures. He sees wealth and reputation as fleeting and superficial, offering no true fulfillment or value. On the other hand, the pursuit of wisdom offers a deeper, more meaningful way to engage with life. Wisdom and moral integrity, to Socrates, are the real treasures that lead to a good and virtuous life.

11. When Socrates claims he is a gadfly sent by God, he means that he serves the role of a bothersome critic, constantly challenging and questioning the status quo in order to spur people to thought and self-improvement. Socrates sees his role as necessary for the health of the city. Just as a gadfly keeps a horse alert and prevents it from becoming lazy and sluggish, Socrates' relentless questioning keeps Athens intellectually vibrant and prevents it from falling into moral and intellectual lethargy. His probing, annoying, even discomforting questions challenge the Athenians to think, examine their lives, and strive for moral and intellectual improvement.