essay on the apology

Chenhao Wang 1426481 Philosophy 1A03: First Essay Professor: Barry Allen February 12 2015 Question 2 Teaching Assistant: Bradley Shubert

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Socratess apology is one of the most interesting philosophical works produced in all of

antiquity. During the time period in which the Apology was written, Socrates was, without a doubt, a

very polarizing figure in ancient Greece. While a few citizens were probably indifferent to him, most

that had heard of Socrates at the time either despised him for his perceived evil-doings or admired

him for his feverous cross-examination of those thought to be wise. Some of his observers even

imitated him, or in the case of Alcibiades, loved him. In the Apology, Socrates addresses old

prejudices against him and dismantles the new charges brought forth to him by Meletus and his

acquaintances. During the course of his defence, Socrates argues that though he lacks knowledge of

anything good or true and refrains from politics, he still benefits the city and all those who live

within it, including criminals and apathetic citizens that care little for his philosophical inquiries. His

statements regarding his usefulness to the city may not make complete sense to the reader at first

(and it certainly did not to the jurors who convicted him), but upon further examination, it becomes

clear that Socrates does indeed benefit the city, citizen and foreigner alike, even without knowledge

of anything beautiful and good or partaking in politics.

My argument is that despite not knowing anything beautiful and good, Socrates benefits

the city and citizen because he forces them into a state of self-inquiry through his rigorous cross

examination, thus making them (and others) aware of their ignorance. 2. Therefore, by decreasing

the ignorance of those he converses with and those who observe him conversing, he is able to

benefit Athens political matters without ever directly entering the political scene himself. 3.

Consequently, he benefits the entire city by making it aware of its own ignorance, which of course

affects even those indifferent to philosophy as they are affected by policy-makers and those around

them, some of which undoubtedly became slightly wiser as a result of Socrates work.

Despite his profound self-proclaimed lack of knowledge of anything good and beautiful,

Socrates cross-examines those who consider themselves and/or are considered by others to be wise.


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These questions usually regard some issue in morals or ethics. In doing so, he benefits both the

person that he is speaking to and any one observing his cross-examination. Why? Because upon

having their own ignorance being proved to them through logic, one who was previously thought to

be wise comes to realize their own lack of wisdom; this comprehension of their inevitable naivety

makes them all the wiser. However, Socrates cross examination does not simply benefit those

whom he cross examines. By exposing the ignorance of the so-called wise, some of the observers

start questioning their own wisdom and the wisdom of others more. By doing so, they are becoming

wiser, more self-reflective and self-aware citizens. Some even imitate his cross-examinations and

expose the irrational self-perceived wisdom of others, upon which they are usually appreciated or

unjustly hated by those whom they have made more self-aware. Many that come to realize their

ignorance due to Socrates will benefit from this realization because they will no longer live their lives

according to these irrational wisdoms and truths, nor will they push these irrational, unproven

opinions onto others.

Socrates duty of making those whom he converses with wiser and less ignorant has a

profound effect on the Athenian political scene as well. Because he exposes politicians to their

ignorance and make ordinary citizen realize both their own ignorance and that of the politicians,

some politicians will, as a result, strive to make their policies and laws more rational and virtuous.

Even those who dont fully accept the discovery of their own wisdom will be more careful and

much less impotent about pushing their irrational beliefs onto others. The same concept therefore

applies to the ordinary citizens of Athens. Additionally, these citizens will now apply a much greater

deal of critical thinking about the decisions and platforms of politicians whom they, as citizens of a

democracy, directly effect. Therefore, Socrates forcing of Athenian politicians into a state of self-

reflection allow him to benefit the city without ever having to dabble in the harsh world of Athenian

politics himself. Though Socrates does espouse any particular ideas of his own to the Athenian


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political scene, his habit of running roughshod over the supposed wisdoms of artisans, politicians

and other intellectuals who put forth a myriad unproven arbitrary ideas about ethics and morality

helps these same people look within themselves and gain a bit of wisdom during the process.

Consequently, this inevitably benefits both the political decisions of ordinary citizens and politicians

alike, as they both make wiser decisions as a result of the work of Socrates.

Socrates work does not just benefit the self-perceived wise men and those that observe his

cross-examinations of aforementioned wise men. He also, as a consequence of improving the so-

called goodness of wise men and ordinary citizen alike, increases the quality of life of even

indifferent citizens and criminals. Indifferent citizens with little care for philosophy benefit from

Socrates because the people around them become slightly wiser and the policies which they live

under become more rational, fair and virtuous as a result. Subsequently, their lives will improve as a

result of being around more virtuous people and living under a fairer government. The same

concept applies to criminals though they may be criminals, they are still obviously affected by

changes in the people around them and the laws they live under. In terms of whether or not they

themselves realize their ignorance is irrelevant when asking the question of IF Socrates benefits

apathetic citizens or criminals, because they benefit from the presence of having an improved city

and citizens living around them. Even if they do fail to realize their own ignorance. Socrates himself

alludes to this Which is better, to live among good citizens or bad ones

In conclusion, the Apology is a uniquely interesting piece of philosophical work by Plato that

examines the rationale behind Socrates rigorous questioning of wise men and ordinary citizens

throughout his other dialogues. It provides us with the context behind dialogues such as Euthyphro,

Phaedo and others. Socrates manages to brilliantly explain how what he does benefits the city Athens

and its citizens. He made the city and the people look within themselves, and thus increased the

wisdom of those around him. This affected those he cross-examined, the observers of his cross


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examinations, the politicians and even the criminals and apathetic citizens indifferent to his

philosophical endeavours. Socrates did not just benefit the Athens and the citizens that dwelled

inside it, but all of modern western thought. His effect on philosophy is profound and still felt to

this day.

essay on the apology

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