Research Essay: The Apology

Running Head: THE APOLOGY
The Apology
[Student Name]
[Course Title]
[Instructor Name]
Introduction
During 431 and 404 B.C. Athens was going through a transition of power as it was at war with Sparta and was being defeated in the Peloponnesian War. That time period was the end of the Athenian Golden Age. It was during this time that Socrates had a great influence on the youth of Athens and was accused of corrupting the Athenian youth and disrespecting their god by making up new gods. The Apology is Plato`s attempt to put forth an account of Socrates speech at the trial in order to defend his reputation and honor after his trial and execution.
The Apology
The passage 20c till 24e from the Apology focuses on Socrates argument that he is neither like the Pre-Socratics not the sophists. Moreover, he goes on to explain the reason why he is being accused of corrupting the young minds of Athens and disrespecting their god by inventing his own deities. According to him, he is being accused because of the reputation he has developed over the years for having wisdom. This reputation was developed after the oracle at Delphi disclosed that there is no other man wiser than Socrates to Chaerphon CITATION Jow92 \l 1033 (Jowett, 1892).
Socrates explains that when he heard the news he was quite puzzled because according to him he did not possess any specialized wisdom or knowledge, yet, he was aware of the fact that the oracle cannot lie. However, Socrates took it on himself to test what the oracle had said and decided to question the well reputed men in Athens known for their wisdom and knowledge CITATION Jow92 \l 1033 (Jowett, 1892). These men included politicians, poets, and craftsmen. He realized that the politicians he interrogated could not be considered wise because even though they thought they had a lot of knowledge, in reality, they did not have complete knowledge of anything at all. The poets, on the other hand, did not have wisdom but instead ...