The Plato of the Apology - 517 Words

Western philosophy, beginning with the dialogues of Plato, is premised upon both the rejection of the artform of tragedy and the rejection of experiences and events considered to be tragic. This general and far-reaching exclusion of the tragic originates from Plato’s dissension made in The Republic of the normative claims defined by nearly all tragic and epic poetry regarding the question of how a human being should live. Tragedy, merely by being tragedy, expresses the following evaluative commitments regarding human life: One, events beyond the agent’s control have the ability to play a major role in her ability to lead an ethical and moral life. Two, tragedy validates forming emotional attachments to people and objects beyond the agent’s control. And three, sympathy, fear, and pity for the tragic hero demonstrate the recognition of certain ethical truths, truths which may be applied to everyday life of the audience members. Plato flatly denies all three of thes e claims. The Plato of The Apology states that a good person cannot be harmed. The good person is self-sufficient. Both uncontrollable events and the fate of external objects or people have no effect on the virtuous person. She remains virtuous no matter the circumstances. Additionally, returning to The Republic, Plato denies the cognitive value of emotions. Thinking connected to the emotions necessarily focuses on the immediate, the finite, and the uncontrollable, and, therefore, the false. Poetry must be bannedShow MoreRelatedPlatos Apology1219 Words   |  5 PagesPlato’s Apology, is by far one of the most logical yet critical thinking text that I have ever read. Plato describes Socrates, the accused atheist and corrupter of youth in ancient Athens, as a true beacon of ethics and morality. The method that Plato uses to depict Socrates on trial gives us a look back on how the trial of a man who encourages one of sound mind to ask questions even to those who are deemed wis e in the eyes of others. Despite facing odds that are stacked highly against him, and thisRead MorePlato s Apology And The Apology1591 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper I will discuss how Plato s Apology and Phaedo have difference ideas of what it means to be a philosopher. I will explain how in the Apology, the philosopher is wise in how he/she understand that they are wise because they know that they don t know, and in Phadeo the philosopher knowledgable and are concern in gaining more knowledge. In Plato s Apology we learn about Socrates life and who he really is. In platos Apology a philosopher is a wise person because he understands thatRead MorePlato Apology2098 Words   |  9 PagesCritical Analysis of The Apology of Socrates by Plato Socrates was an orator and philosopher whose primary interests were logic, ethics and epistemology. In Plato’s Apology of Socrates, Plato recounts the speech that Socrates gave shortly before his death, during the trial in 399 BC in which he was charged with corrupting the young, and by not believing in the  gods  in whom the city believes, also being a busybody and intervene gods business. The name of the work itself is not mean what it isRead MoreThe Apology Of Plato s Apology982 Words   |  4 Pages In the â€Å"Apology,† Socrates seems disobedient, disrespectful and even boastful as he speaks to the magistracy. In â€Å"Crito,† however, Socrates is found sleeping soundly as he patiently awaits his punishment – death. It seems that Plato’s works paint two entirely contradicting portraits of his mentor. Yet, it was not a contradiction for Socrates to refuse Crito’s help to leave Athens and avoid punishment, because the alternative pe nalties or escape would compromise Socrates lifestyle, and since he failedRead MoreApology, By Plato s Apology1298 Words   |  6 Pagesknowing you know nothing.† In â€Å"Apology,† written by Plato, this ethical belief makes a bold appearance demonstrating that true ignorance only revolves around those who think that they know everything. In â€Å"Apology,† Socrates learns that the wisest men are those who do not think of themselves of wise, and rather make an approach of going beyond an authentic method of inquiry and helping others seek their personal philosophies which may result in conflict. In Plato’s â€Å"Apology,† Socrates demonstrates thatRead MorePlato And Plato s The Apology1623 Words   |  7 Pagesmore interested in determining how the world worked and its origins/cosmology, as oppose to philosophers such as Plato And Socrates who focused more on ethics or morality. Plato’s conception of God and religion can be depicted in his literatures â€Å"Euthyphro† and â€Å"The Apology† which he expresses through his writings of Socrates in dialogue formation. While one may assume that both Plato and Socrates shared analogous notions of God and religion it is impossible to truly know given the Socratic problemRead MoreThe Apology Of Plato Apology983 Words   |  4 PagesAt the beginning of The Apology, Socrates is directly speaking to the jury in Athens. In the beginning of the apology Socrates speaks of accusations that have been made against him throughout his life. There seems to be two different kinds of accusations. The first being biases accusations that have been made on throughout his past and the other being recent accusations. Socrates explains he was accused of being, â€Å" a wise man, a student of all things in the sky and below the earth, who makes theRead MoreSocrates Apology Of Plato s Apology981 Words   |  4 PagesPart I: Essay Outline Question #2 At 23b of Plato s Apology Socrates claims to be wiser than his interlocutors because, unlike them, he does not think he knows what he does not know. Question: Is this self-assessment genuinely meaningful or is it merely clever word play? Thesis Statement: I think Socrates’ message behind his speech to his interlocutors was to both state his superior wisdom and gain the attention while doing so. Outline I. Introduction A. Opening Statement 1. What is wisdomRead MoreThe Apology And Phaedo By Plato Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pages The Apology and Phaedo by Plato are two different books describing what is like to be a philosopher per Socrates believes. These two books take place in two different scenarios in Socrates’ life, The Apology takes place in a court room where Socrates is to defend himself from false charges brought to him by Meletus who is acting as the prosecutor. Phaedo, on the other hand, takes place in a prison cell post judgment on the day of Socrates execution. Hence, The Apology and Phaedo appeared to displayRead MoreThe Reading Of Apology By Plato1282 Words   |  6 Pagesso many trials, but in the end, he stayed true to his faith and never doubted the Lord. Another example of this fortitude is in the reading of Apology by Plato. This story is great because it shows how wise Socrates actually was, and despite the fact that he was put on trial he lived by his teachings and never faltered. Even though the Book of Job and Apology were written during different eras in history both teach those bad things do happen to good people and when they do, it’s admirable to stand