The Defense

If Socrates was seriously attempting to defend himself with an intention of

getting off the charges cleanly then he had failed as a persuader and orator. He

made his points boldly and rudely, made intentional insults to the jury, and did

not take seriously the legal system.

Upon hearing his death sentence and given the chance to offer an alternative,

Socrates takes the offer as an opportunity to further champion the justice of

his thoughts and actions by suggesting that he should be fed for life by the

state, comparing himself to that of an Olympic champion.(36c) To further

establish his position, Socrates claims himself, via the Delphic Oracle, to be

the wisest man in Athens yet not having any wisdom at all, only because everyone

else is blinded by their deluded arrogance in believing that they possess great

knowledge even when they don't. Socrates also criticizes Athenians of being

materialistic right before the decision of the jury. (29e) These direct attacks

on the Athenian populace could not be in any way attempts at appealing the

sympathies of the jury. It is something he also clearly states when he

emphasizes his difference from other Athenians, even men of prominence, who have

been brought to trial, as that he does not bring his family - which he does have

- to cry and beg for forgiveness.

In being tried by his peers, Socrates does not much care for the preceding as he

believes that there is a deeply rooted prejudice against him amongst the

Athenian people and does it out of obligation instead of the incentive of

freedom that most people in his position should have.(19a) It is then with this

mindset that he proceeds to defend himself and therefore we have a good deal of

reason to believe that he is giving a half hearted effort and does not take his

trial seriously.

Plato was most likely a student of Socrates and Socrates must have had a great

influence upon his thinking. Plato felt that to have Socrates go out - die - in

this way would allow him to achieve martyrdom. Someone who died for his beliefs