Please write a paper of 3-4 pages in length on one of the following topics (PICK ONLY ONE OF THE BELOW TOPICS)
1) Socrates gives an account of what it is that distinguishes him from all his fellow citizens and that has led to him being compelled to defend himself against the charges of impiety and corrupting the youth before the people of Athens in a court of law. He calls this distinctive characteristic—his peculiar “affair” (20c)—his “human wisdom.” What is this human wisdom, and how does his story regarding the oracle, which declared that “no one” is wiser than Socrates, along with Socrates’ response to the oracle, inform us of the character and the end of this human wisdom?
2) Does the charge that Socrates does not believe in the gods in whom the city believes hold any weight? If so, how does Socrates defend himself when it comes to this charge?
3) In his cross examination of Meletus, how does Socrates defend himself against the charge of corrupting the youth? What does his defense imply in regard to who in fact does corrupt the youth? What does it imply in regard to the effect that Socrates himself has upon the youth?
4) Socrates declares, toward the end of his defense speech, that “far from making a defense speech on my own behalf…I do it rather on your [the Athenian people and the city of Athens] behalf?” (30d). What does Socrates mean by saying this? How is Socrates attempting to preserve, not simply or primarily (or perhaps at all) his own life, but rather the life and character of the city of Athens and the Athenians themselves? How is this be related, nonetheless, to his evident attempt to preserve or establish the good reputation of philosophy and his own way of life, his own philosophizing?
PLEASE ONLY USE THE APOLOGY OF SOCRATES AS A SOURCE. USE CITATIONS LIBERALLY.
