Word Play In Socrates's Trial

Socrates Use of Word Play in Attempt to be Proven Innocent During his trail, Socrates provides the jury with a self-assessment that suggests the use of clever word play to convince others, “he does think he knows what he does not know” (Plato 23b). This account of the trail, written by Plato has been argued to be the most accurate story compares to others since he first hand, had witness the speech himself (Burnet 63). Socrates was a 70 year old man being placed on trial for the corruption of youth and impiety, claiming to not be wise in many extents. He was known to be a very talent speaker with the use of many metaphors and analogies which he warns the jury about, in advantage to his defense (Plato 17 b-c). It can be argued that Socrates …show more content…
An example of this is shown in 20e-21b of the Apology (Plato), where Socrates refers to his friend Chaerephon approaching the oracle of Apollo at Delphi to inquire on the level of Socrates’ wisdom. He asks whether any man was wiser then him, ‘and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser’ (Plato 21a). This approach allows Socrates to persuade the jury into believing he is wise, while at the same time, denying the statement and claiming others to be wiser. When referring to The Philosophy of Socrates we learn of the idea of Socrates believing in a way that he was truly a wise man which he concludes through the highly authoritative oracle of Apollo at Delphi (Brickhouse 30). This is a prime example of how Socrates uses the wisdom and reputation of others to appear wise, in order to deny it. The article Platonic Studies of Greek Philosophy by Robert S. Brumbaugh refers to the issue behind Socrates conviction as ‘persistent inquiry’ when re-telling the story of Chaerephon speaking to the oracle (234). Socrates continues this ‘persistent inquiry’ when questioning Meletus about educating the youth, attempting to prove that Meletus had no real interest or concern for this matter (Plato 24e-26b). Question after question he fails to show any meaning to his inquiry leading to a potential argument were it can be perceived as an attempt to confuse the jury. Socrates also contradicts his stories when he claims that “those who had the highest reputation were nearly the most deficient, while those who were thought to be inferior were more knowledgeable” (Plato 22a). When referring to 23b of the Apology (Plato) we understand Socrates to be in poverty because of his occupation which with the knowledge of his trail of death, we can conclude Socrates to be an inferior person. This is concrete evidence for the argument