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Brickhouse and Smith argue, contrary to virtually every modern interpretation of Plato's Apology of Socrates, that Plato's Socrates offers a sincere defence against the charges he faces. In doing so the book offers an exhaustive historical and philosophical interpretation of and commentary on Plato's Apology. The authors demonstrate that Socrates' moral and religious principles prohibit him from needlessly risking a negative vote at his trial. By providing a complete commentary, they show that each specific claim Socrates makes in the Apology can be construed as a sincere attempt to inform the jury of the truth and convince the jurors of his blamelessness. The effect of these two strategies is a novel interpretation of the Apology which sheds new light on various aspects of Socrates' life and philosophy.
Does Plato's Apology represent a sincere defense by Socrates, or is it a calculated rhetorical performance designed to provoke his own condemnation? Thomas C. Brickhouse and Nicholas D. Smith, both established scholars in ancient philosophy, challenge the prevailing academic consensus that Socrates intentionally sought his own execution. By applying rigorous historical and philosophical analysis to the text of the Apology, the authors argue that Socrates' core moral and religious commitments necessitated a genuine attempt to persuade the Athenian jury of his innocence.
What You Will Find
Scholars frequently cite this work as a significant departure from traditional interpretations of Socratic irony, noting its meticulous attention to the text. It is widely regarded as a foundational resource for students and researchers examining the intersection of Socratic ethics and Athenian law.
Page Count:
354
Publication Date:
2000-12-31
Publisher:
Clarendon Press
ISBN-10:
0198239386
ISBN-13:
9780198239383
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