The Apology Title – The Defense Author – Plato (428 B.C. to 348 B.C) Genre – Historical Fiction Setting – Athens, the court 399 B.C. Protagonist – Socrates The Accusers – Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon

Socrates Born – 469 B. C. Mother was a midwife, father was a stonecutter Soldier in major Athenian wars. Fierce in battle Practiced “philosophy” for 30 years. No job, no Shoes, unkempt hair and beard, dirty tunic, quite an ugly guy. Sentenced to death and killed in 399 B. C. at the age of 70

The Apology Part 1: The False image of Socrates Formal Charges: Corrupting the youth and impiety. Real Charges: Being a sophist and a student of nature Socrates claims that he is a not a scientist and not a sophist. Why? If he is neither of these, just what does he do?

The Oracle at Delphi

The Socratic Mission

Socrates Confronts Meletus

Socratic Method 1. Pose a question about a claim. “What is X”? - The answer to the question must be an essential definition 2. Find a counter example to the definition provided in (1). 3. The counter example shows that the definition (in #1) is false (at least in part) or incomplete 4. Change the definition to account for the counter example 5. Repeat 2-4 as long as you possibly can