The Apology Essay

The Apology

In the Apology Socrates was on trial because he was accused of mainly three different things. He was accused of being an atheist, corrupting the youth and being a false teacher. Socrates thinks that he has to defend himself from the people of Athens because they say he is an accomplished speaker who makes them believe what he speaks. Socrates defense to that is that even though he is an orator, he is not an especially good public speaker. Socrates also states that since he is elderly and at the age of seventy and does not know how to speak in the court of law do not get offend by it. He states that there is many false accusations against him and those that accuse him of these deeds dont come forward with supporting information but instead stay hidden in the darkness. He has to persuade people in order to prove he is innocence. Also, Socrates has to prove and show to the public his innocence and the accusers are completely making falsities about him.

Athens worry about Socrates belief because the three counts that Socrates was charged; that being impiety, that is not recognizing the Gods recognized by Athens, introducing new Gods or divinities and lastly for corrupting the youth of Athens. Because of all of these concerns, Socrates was accused and went to trial.

Socrates thinks the best way for people to live is to focus on self-development rather than the pursuit of material wealth. He believes it has to be peoples main concern. However, the main problem with the people is that people always pursuit of material wealth and they do not try to improve their knowledge. People think they are wiser than other people when they know certain knowledge. Socrates said that when I do not know, neither do I think I know, I do not think I know what I do not know. He thinks the people who know their ignorance is wiser than other who do not.

Socrates believes that the soul is immortal whether it is good or evil in its preferences. However, pure knowledge and happiness are only found when people do not engage in the physical pleasures. Socrates understood the care of the soul as the primary task of philosophy and caring of soul is one of the most important. I think that caring for our soul is extremely important to us. The most important thing toward caring for our soul is to begin loving our body as well. Thinking our body and soul separately is impossible. If I love my body, I also love my soul as well. Therefore, in order to care for our soul, I think we have to care our body.