Socrates Apology Analysis

“Apology” is a work of Plato, in which he wrote down defending speech of his teacher Socrates. Socrates was accused by Athenians in making the weaker argument the stronger, teaching about things in the sky and below the earth, and in corrupting the youth and not believing in gods. Socrates stands in the court and tries to refute those accusations, but Athenians vote him guilty. Socrates chooses death, rather then stop spreading his philosophy. In “Apology” he does not only defend himself but also talks about morals, his philosophy, politics and critiques Athenians. Though Socrates defends laws, gods and traditional moral virtues such as justice, honor and truth, he gives them a new meaning which is very strange for the Athenians, and his …show more content…
However he is defining those values in a way that they could not be achieved in current society. Thus, he is advocating for change which is a trait of a radical, rather then a conservative who wants to keep current traditional …show more content…
That is why we might think that he is proposing aristocracy or oligarchy, which is a step back. Conservatives are people who not only want to maintain order but in some cases to return to previous order. Some think that Socrates proposing aristocracy because of his ties with sons of the rich and wealthy. However, Socrates says that he does not teach them anything and they do follow him in free will(23c). Also in a dialogue with one of his students Crito, he refuses to take help to escape, and talks about importance of obeying the laws. I do not think that Socrates is teaching his followers to become rulers, but rather makes them think and make their own conclusions. In the time of the 'Thirty Tyrants ', the regime very similar to other cities in Greece, Socrates also does not obey their orders, thus showing us his view on conservative political