Study Questions for "The Apology of Socrates"

in Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates, Third Edition,
trans. G. M. A. Grube, rev. John M. Cooper
(Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2000)

Last updated: August 20, 2002

Questions? Contact: Dr. Jan Garrett

1. With whom does Socrates contrast himself in the first two paragraphs? (17-18a)

2. What rumors have been spread against Socrates? (18b6-c, 19c-20c) With what groups is he confused in the popular mind?

3. What got Socrates started on his particular path? (21) How does Socrates proceed and why does that make him enemies? (21c-d) Why, then, does he keep at it? (21e; cf. also 23a-b.)

4. Do politicians have the wisdom Socrates seeks? Do writers of tragedies and other poets? What do they have? (22b-c) Do craftsmen? What sort of wisdom do they have? (22d-e)

5. In what sense does Socrates conceive his mission as a religious calling? (23a-b)

6. What is the basis of Socrates' influence on young men? (Note the social class to which they belong.) How does this contribute to the resentment against him? (23c ff)

7. What are the charges in the sworn deposition against Socrates? (24b)

8. How does Socrates use the analogy of the horse trainer to a "youth trainer" to imply that it is very unlikely that he alone corrupts the youth, as Meletus suggests? (25a-b)

9. Why wouldn't Meletus say that Socrates corrupts the youth unintentionally? (25d, 26a)

10. How does S. try to undermine Meletus' charge that S. deliberately corrupts the youth? (25e-26a) Note that S. does not think anyone would knowingly make another person wicked.

11. How does S. disprove the charge that he is an atheist? (26c-28a1) [The Greek word translated "spirit," daimon, is sometimes translated "divine being."] Is he just being clever or does he really believe in the gods? (23a, 26d, 28e, 29a, 29d-31a, 35d; see also Crito 43d, 51c, 54d, e)

12. Why shouldn't a good person fear death, according to Socrates? (28b-29b) How does Socrates understand what a person is? (Answer in terms of body and/or soul.)

13. What will S. not give up? Does he think this helps or harms his city? (29e-30c)

14. Does S. believe that a better person can be harmed by a worse? Is injury or banishment a true harm to a good person? (30c-d)

15. To what kind of animal does S. compare the city? To what kind does S. compare himself? Why? (30e)

16. Why did Socrates lead a deliberately private life? (31c-e) Note: Socrates' presence in the Council presidium in 406 BC was probably not optional, more like jury duty than standing for public office.

17. Why does S. not bring his family to help him influence the jury? (34c-35d, especially 35c-d) Would it have been consistent with his denial of the charges against him to do so?

18. What has just happened that forces S. to suggest a counter-penalty? (35d-36e) Why does S. think he deserves free meals at public expense? (Note the comparison between Socrates and the athletes.) (36c-37a1)

19. In Socrates' opinion, what is the best thing for a person to do? (37e-38a) What sort of life is not worth living? (37e-38a)

Revised 8/20/02