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Plato and the Apology of Socrates

" There is an ignorance he possesses that he incidentally projects to the jury by saying these men are not wise and he believes he has an advantage over them. His defense is to try to prove he is not an intelligent man, yet through his discussion the opposite effect is accidentally taking place. Socrates is stating the exact opposite of what he is trying to verify of him not being the wisest man. Socrates details that he went to the poets, politicians, and craftsmen, but none of them possessed a wisdom greater than his. The first part of his defense has been destroyed through his own arrogance in his words while trying to explain why others thought him to be the wisest man, even though he did not believe it himself, proving the thesis of how he accidentally commits suicide by jury to be true. Socrates then moves on from his own wisdom to how he "does not " teach others.
             Another main point in the case is that Socrates instructs others on what he has learned or what his beliefs are. While trying to defend himself he makes many errors that help persecute him rather than lead to a defense for himself. It is said he corrupts the youth and does not believe in the gods, but that he believes in new spiritual things. He even admits on page 31 that, "Young men learn from me, " whatever his defense has been Socrates clearly admits to the charge that he teaches other people his beliefs. The charge is not if what he teaches them itself is a wrongdoing, but that Socrates as a general statement teaches others his knowledge and beliefs and it is very clear of his guilt. Socrates believes it is okay to enlighten others if it is in private as stated on page 35, "That while I go around and give this advice privately and interfere in private affairs. " By permitting that he interferes in private affairs he is detailing that not only does he teach others, but he will hinder in other people's lives. The law does not state that it is still legal to enlighten people in private, but any teachings are illegal no matter the location of the incident.


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