In Plato’s Apology, a man stands trial for charges of corrupting the youth and not recognizing the gods recognized by the state. But this man, who we will refer to as the defendant, is not interested in apologizing for his actions.
Instead, he uses his defense speech to stress the importance of caring for one’s soul above all else. He argues that his mission is to help improve the city and awaken it from its complacency.
In this article, we will explore the defendant’s mission and how it relates to our own lives today.
What Was Socrates Mission In Apology
The defendant, who we know as Socrates, believed that his mission was to care for the souls of his fellow citizens. He saw that they were more concerned with wealth, reputation, and their physical bodies than with the health of their souls. Socrates believed that the most important good for a human being was the health of their soul, and that without it, everything else was meaningless.
Socrates’ mission extended beyond just caring for his own soul. He believed that he was given to the city as a gift from the gods and that his purpose was to help improve it. He saw himself as a gadfly, an irritant to the sluggish horse that was the Athenian state. Without him, the democracy would become stagnant and complacent, in danger of harming itself and others.
Socrates’ mission was not just about improving the city, but also about improving individuals. He believed that through philosophical inquiry and self-examination, individuals could become better people. He aimed to agitate those around him so that they would begin to examine themselves and strive for excellence and virtue.
The Charges Against Socrates
Socrates was charged with two main accusations: corrupting the youth and not recognizing the gods recognized by the state. The prosecution claimed that Socrates was an evil-doer who taught the youth to question authority and to believe in new deities. They also accused him of being a sophist, a professional teacher of rhetoric who took money for his teachings.
Socrates denied these charges, arguing that he did not corrupt the youth but rather taught them to think critically and to question their beliefs. He also claimed that he did not recognize the gods recognized by the state because he believed in a higher power that was beyond human understanding.
Socrates’ defense against these charges was not an apology in the modern sense of the word, but rather a defense of his actions and beliefs. He believed that his mission was to improve the souls of his fellow citizens and to help them strive for excellence and virtue. Despite his efforts to defend himself, Socrates was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Socrates’ Defense Speech
During his trial, Socrates gave a defense speech in which he argued that his mission was to carry out the will of the gods. He believed that he had been given a divine mission to question the wisdom and knowledge of those around him, and to help them see the error of their ways.
Socrates began his defense by acknowledging that he was not a skilled orator, but he believed that he had a duty to speak the truth. He argued that the charges against him were false and that he had never corrupted the youth or denied the existence of the gods. He also pointed out that he had spent his life seeking wisdom and knowledge, and that his conversations with others were simply a way of testing his own beliefs and understanding.
Socrates went on to explain that his mission was not just about questioning others, but also about questioning himself. He believed that true wisdom came from admitting one’s own ignorance and striving to learn more. He argued that his mission was to help others see the value in self-examination and to encourage them to strive for excellence.
Despite his efforts to defend himself, Socrates was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death. However, his legacy lived on through his teachings and philosophy, which continue to inspire and challenge people today.
The Importance Of Caring For One’s Soul
Socrates believed that caring for one’s soul was of utmost importance. He argued that the health of the soul was the most important good for a human being, and that wealth, reputation, and physical health were secondary to it. According to Socrates, without a healthy soul, everything else was meaningless.
Socrates saw the soul as the essence of a person, and believed that it needed to be nourished and cared for just like the body. He believed that the soul could be improved through philosophical inquiry and self-examination, and that individuals who focused on caring for their souls would become better people.
For Socrates, caring for one’s soul was not just about personal improvement, but also about improving society as a whole. He believed that if everyone cared for their souls and focused on virtue and excellence, society would be a better place. He saw himself as a gadfly, an irritant to the sluggish horse that was Athenian society, pushing individuals to examine themselves and strive for excellence.
Socrates’ Mission To Improve The City
Socrates believed that his mission to care for souls extended to the entirety of the city of Athens. He saw himself as a gift from the gods to the city, and his purpose was to help improve it. Socrates argued that without philosophical inquiry, the democracy would become stagnant and complacent, in danger of harming itself and others.
Socrates’ mission was to awaken the Athenians from their intellectual slumber and inspire them to strive for excellence and virtue. He saw himself as a gadfly, whose job was to irritate the sluggish horse that was the Athenian state. Through his influence, he believed that the city could be wakened into productive and virtuous action.
Socrates’ mission was not just about improving the city as a whole but also about improving individuals. He believed that through philosophical inquiry and self-examination, individuals could become better people. His aim was to agitate those around him so that they would begin to examine themselves and strive for excellence and virtue.
Socrates saw his mission as a sacred duty, given to him by the gods. He believed that his purpose was to serve others and improve their lives. In doing so, he hoped to create a society that valued wisdom, virtue, and excellence above all else.
Awakening The City From Complacency
Socrates believed that the Athenian state was in danger of becoming complacent and stagnant, and that it needed to be awakened from this state. He saw himself as a gadfly, stinging the horse of the state to wake it up and spur it into action. Socrates believed that the Athenians were too concerned with wealth, reputation, and physical pleasures, and that they were neglecting the health of their souls.
Through his philosophical teachings and questioning, Socrates aimed to awaken the Athenians from their complacency and encourage them to examine themselves and their beliefs. He believed that this was the only way for individuals to become better people and for the city to become a better place.
Socrates’ mission was not just about criticizing the Athenians, but also about showing them a better way. He believed that by questioning everything and striving for excellence and virtue, individuals could lead fulfilling lives and make positive contributions to society.
In The Apology, Socrates defends his mission by arguing that he is doing what the gods have asked of him. He believes that his mission is a divine calling and that he is fulfilling it by awakening the city from its complacency. Despite being sentenced to death by the Athenian jury, Socrates remains steadfast in his belief that his mission was a noble one and that he has done nothing wrong.
The Relevance Of Socrates’ Mission Today
Socrates’ mission of caring for the soul and promoting philosophical inquiry is still relevant today. In our modern society, we are often consumed by material possessions, social status, and physical appearance, neglecting the health of our souls. Socrates’ emphasis on the importance of the soul reminds us that there is more to life than just material wealth and physical pleasure.
Moreover, Socrates’ method of questioning everything and encouraging self-examination is still applicable today. In a world where information is readily available and opinions are easily formed, we often forget to question our own beliefs and biases. Socrates’ approach reminds us that true wisdom comes from acknowledging our own ignorance and constantly seeking knowledge.
Socrates’ mission also highlights the importance of critical thinking and the pursuit of truth. In a time where fake news and misinformation are rampant, it is crucial that we develop the skills to critically evaluate information and seek out the truth.
In conclusion, Socrates’ mission of caring for the soul, promoting philosophical inquiry, encouraging self-examination, critical thinking, and pursuing truth is still relevant today. His teachings serve as a reminder that there is more to life than just material possessions and physical pleasures, and that true wisdom comes from constantly seeking knowledge and questioning everything.
