![]() ![]() It is a conflict that remains, perhaps, unresolvable.Īs we read the Apology it is easy for us to side with Socrates. As Plato depicts it, the trial of Socrates reveals and dramatizes the perpetual conflict that exists between political life and the life devoted to radical questioning, between the city and the philosopher. In Plato’s dialogue Socrates tries to persuade his listeners and judges that the accusations made against him are false. It rather has the meaning of a reasoned account given in response to criticisms and accusations. The word “apology” in the title does not mean saying you’re sorry for something. In the Apology Socrates answers the charges made against him by the city of Athens. ![]() By “difficult” I mean two things: why he is hard to figure out and why he is hard to take. I shall use the Apology to get at why Socrates himself is difficult. My goal is to tell you what I think is at stake in Socrates’ defense as Plato depicts it. I warn you in advance that I shall put before you this evening many questions for which I have no definite answers It certainly continues to baffle and elude me. It is a very difficult question, one that continues to baffle and elude the most thoughtful readers even after many years of constant study. ![]() The title of this talk is “Who Is Socrates? - Thoughts on Plato’s Apology.” Let me say from the outset that this question, Who is Socrates?, is the central question of Plato’s dialogues. ![]() Who Is Socrates? - Thoughts on Plato’s Apology ![]()
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