Speech Socrates example essay topic

Plato's Apology Socrates was a very simple man who did not have many material possessions and spoke in a plain, conversational manner. Acknowledging his own ignorance, he engaged in conversations with people claiming to be experts, usually in ethical matters. By asking simple questions, Socrates gradually revealed that these people were in fact very confused and did not actually know anything about the matters about which they claimed to be an expert. Socrates felt that the quest for wisdom and the instruction of others through dialogue and inquiry were the highest aims in life. He felt that 'The unexamined life is not worth living. ' Plato's Apology is the speech Socrates made at his trial.

Socrates was charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state and corrupting the youth of Athens. In The Apology, Socrates attempted to defend himself. He spoke in a very simple, uncomplicated manner. He explained that he had no experience with the law and courts and that he would just use honesty and directness. He also explained that he behaved in the way that he did because of a prophecy by the oracle at Delphi, which claimed that he was the wisest of all men. Recognizing that he was ignorant in most things, Socrates concluded that he must be wiser than other men only in that he knew that he knew nothing.

Socrates explained that he considered it his duty to question people in order to expose their false wisdom as ignorance. By doing this, the youth of Athens began to admire him and follow in his ways. However, Socrates received much hatred and anger from the people he embarrassed. He believed that the reason he was put on trial was because he embarrassed many people. Socrates compared himself to a gadfly stinging the lazy horse, which is the Athenian state. Without him, Socrates claimed, the state would drift into a deep sleep, but through his influence it can be awakened.

Socrates was found guilty by a narrow margin and was asked to come up with a penalty. Socrates suggested that if he were to get what he deserved, he should be honored with a great meal for being of such service to the state. He rejected the sentences of prison or exile, offering instead to pay a fine. When the jury rejected his suggestions and sentenced him to death, Socrates accepted the verdict and said that no one but the gods know what happens after death and so it would be foolish to fear what one does not know. He also warned the people who voted against him that by silencing him rather than listening to him, they have harmed themselves much more than they have harmed him. Socrates opened his case by asking the jury to listen to him openly and to pardon him if he went into his usual style of speaking.

His accusers had already spoken against him in the flowery manner common in courts of law. Socrates said that his accusers's peeches contained great refinement and skill, and he lacked the ability to speak so well. However, he said that he would speak the truth while his opponents lied. Socrates also stated that while his accusers's peeches were prepared, his speech would be fully improvised. He hoped to address the jury simply by saying what was true. Socrates felt that he had to contrast himself with his accusers.

He was able to do this by contrasting their speeches. He felt that his accusers had been carefully trained to avoid the truth. They could be deceiving with their speeches by making them sound nice or complicated. He made it clear that he was going to speak in a very simple manner. Socrates felt that it was better for him to speak in common terms and tell the truth than to disguise his speech to lie.

He remarked that he is only a skillful speaker if a skillful speaker is someone who speaks the truth. Socrates visited an Oracle who had told him that he was the wisest of all men. The oracle knew this because Socrates knows that he knows nothing. Socrates felt that it was his duty to question people, especially those who felt that they were wise. People became very annoyed with Socrates, mainly because he was embarrassing them. People whom he had angered began to accuse him of various things, so they could defend their dignity.

Socrates had developed a following in the youth of Athens. Subsequently, he was accused of corrupting them. His defense was that the Oracle had told him that he was the wisest. This, however, was not convincing to the jury. Many of the jurors and accusers had crossed paths with Socrates and had to listen to him. They wouldn't buy the Oracle story because they had been embarrassed.

The defense that Socrates used was perfect for him. He probably knew or had some idea that he would not be able to convince the jury of his innocence. The jury was prejudiced and many had been influenced by people against Socrates for many years. Socrates also could have changed his defense to tell the jury what they wanted to hear. He could have accepted a smaller punishment. However, Socrates stuck to his beliefs throughout the trial, even with his life on the line.

Some would say that his defense didn't work. Apparently, it did serve its purpose. Socrates was not defending himself, he was defending philosophy and thought. He died for it, and by doing so, he became the first martyr of philosophy..