Socrates’ Apology
So one of the classes I am taking this spring semester is Introduction to Philosophy with Dr. Davis. When I first pre-registered for the class, I only really decided to take it because it satisified my humanities core requirement. I also thought it would be interesting to get a taste of philosophy. It has always been one of those fields which I didn’t know much about… and didn’t really know what they studied - other than the obvious… philosophers by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. What was philosophy?
Classes started four days ago - on Tuesday. The first assignment given for the class was to read Socrates’ Apology. The text for the class alone is a big, fat doorstop (”an expensive doorstop,” as quoted by Dr. Davis himself this morning) of a book. Not to imply (or to claim that Dr. Davis meant this either) that the book is of no value or is not worth reading. I would be quick to say that reading Socrates’ Apology was one of the most enjoyable, fulfilling, and intriguing pieces of literature that I have read since being here at Covenant. Granted, I have only been here for a little over a semester… and have yet to delve into the literature of other great courses and authors. But the knowledge and wisdom of Socrates overflows in his words. For those of you who are interested …. read on.
The opening of his Apology is a court case in which Socrates is on trial. The men in power of Athens are attempting to rid themselves of their enemies… they had already previously executed 6 generals and exiled 4 other generals. And now they have put Socrates on trial. Their main accusation is that he is corrupting the young men of Athens. Socrates flawlessly presents his defense. Reading through word for word his defense was amazing… each and every accusation that was presented against him, he completely refuted and offered perfect examples showing that their accusations were pointless and untrue. At one point, Meletus accused Socrates of corrupting all the young Athenians, while also claiming that the jurymen, audience, assembly, and members of the Council improved the young men. Socrates then gave the example of training a horse. He asked Meletus, “…does this also apply to horses do you think? That all men improve them and one individual corrupts them? Or is quite the contrary true, one individual is able to improve them, or very few, namely, the horse breeders, whereas the majority, if they have horses and use them, corrupt them?”
So needless to say, if you are at all interested in philosophy, this was rather intriguing. When I first saw the assignment and how much had to be read for the course, I got kind of stressed out. It’s kind of crazy getting a book that is almost three inches thick and has tiny print. But being able to read and learn of the wisdom of the philosophers is awesome. I can honestly say that the Apology of Socrates was one of the most interesting things I have read in a long time…
Just a couple of thoughts and ramblings for another day…
Published on 12 Jan 2007 at 4:44 pm.
3 Comments.
Filed under Academics.
it is interesting…i studied it sophmore year of highschool, i think, and it is really neat. hope you enjoy the other incredible philosopher’s, friend!
Olivia on 13 Jan 2007 at 1:13 am.
hey, I like your blog :)
Cara K on 13 Jan 2007 at 2:24 pm.
yeah, i’m reading paradise lost by milton at the moment for my course, and when you finally get round to reading the ‘greats’, all those doorstops you always meant to read but never quite had time for, you realise why they are considered ‘great’ !! enjoy…
Amy Mulholland on 14 Jan 2007 at 5:44 am.