1. Philosophy and the Examined Life
Chapter 3
Philosophy and the Examined Life

2. The Apology of Socrates
The word apology comes from the Greek word for “defense”
In the selection that follows, Socrates is literally defending himself in a court of law
He realizes that were he to promise to halt his philosophical pursuits:
The charges against him would be dropped
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3. The Apology of Socrates
The official charges against him were:
That he taught that people should not believe in the gods
He was responsible for corrupting young men of Athens by making them critical of authority
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4. The Apology of Socrates
Socrates was born about 469 b.c.e. and died in 399 b.c.e.
He is one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy
He wrote nothing and established no school
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5. The Apology of Socrates
His life was spent in questioning his associates & seeking to discover the truth
The verdict of Socrates’ trial was that:
Socrates was guilty of crimes against the state, and he was condemned to death
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6. Socrates: In Defense of Philosophy
When I heard of the oracle, I began to reflect:
What can the god mean by this riddle?
I know very well that I am not wise, even in the smallest degree
I went to a man who was reputed to be wise
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7. Socrates: In Defense of Philosophy
I came to see that, though a great many persons, and most of all he himself:
Thought that he was wise, yet he was not wise
Wanderings I undertook, like Herculean labors, to prove the oracle irrefutable
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8. Socrates: In Defense of Philosophy
I went to the artisans
For I knew very well that I possessed no knowledge at all worth speaking of
Young men who follow me about, who are the sons of wealthy persons:
And have the most leisure, take pleasure in hearing men cross-examined
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9. Socrates: In Defense of Philosophy
To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise without really being wise:
For it is to think that we know what we do not know
I will never do what I know to be evil
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10. Socrates: In Defense of Philosophy
I think that no greater good has ever befallen you in the state than:
My service to the god
It seems to me that the god has attached me like that to the state, for I am:
Constantly alighting upon you at every point to arouse, persuade & reproach each of you
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