Plato's Apology

Table of Contents

"Prologue" (17 A-18 A)

Defense against the first accusers (18 A-24 B)

• Introduction (18 A—19 A)
• Socrates argues that he does not have the kind of knowledge that Aristophanes claims he has (19 A—19 D)
• Socrates argues that he is not a sophist (19 D—20 C)
• How Socrates acquired his reputation (20 C—23 C)
  • Chaerephon and the Oracle at Dephi (20 C—21 B)
  • Socrates questions the politicians (21 B—21 E)
  • Socrates questions the poets (21 E—22 C)
  • Socrates questions the craftsmen (22 C—22 E)
  • Socrates interprets his own wisdom (22 E—23 C)
  • Socrates argues that he does not corrupt the young (23 C—24 B)

Defense against the second accusers (24 B—35 D)

• Introduction (24 B—24 C)
• Who improves the youth? (24 C—25 C)
• That it is better to live among good citizens than bad (25 C—26 A)
• That Socrates corrupts the youth by teaching them not to believe in the gods of the city (26 A—27 A)
• That Socrates corrupts the youth by teaching them not to believe in the gods of the city (cont.) (27 A – 28 A)
• That Socrates is not ashamed to have pursued philosophy (28 A – 28 D)
• That Socrates is a gift to the city (30 C – 31 C)
• Why Socrates does not participate in politics (31 C – 32 A)
• Socrates' powerful proofs that he would not give in to evil (32 A – 32 E)
• Socrates' powerful proofs that he would not give in to evil (cont.) (32 E – 33 B)
• Socrates argues that none of his followers have complained against him (33 B – 34 B)
• Why Socrates does not beg for mercy (34 B – 35 B)
• Why Socrates does not beg for mercy (cont.) (35 B – 35 D)

Counter-Assessment 35 E—38 C

• Introduction (35 E—36 B)
• Free meals in the prytaneum (36 B—37A)
• Why Socrates has given the counter-assessment of free meals in the prytaneum (37 A — 37 E)
• The unexamined life is not worth living (37 E — 38 C)

Socrates' final remarks to the jury 38 C — 42 A

• Introduction (38 C – 39 B)
• Socrates' prophecy to those who voted to convict him (39 C – 39 E)
• Socrates' conversation with those who voted for his acquittal (39 E – 40 C)
• That there is good hope that death is a blessing (40 C – 41 C)
• Socrates' last request (41 C – 42 A)