Author: Plato
Title: Apology Part 2
Plot: Socrates argues to save his life
Notes: Meletus the leader among poets is his primary accuser before the court of Athens
See all of Plato's dialogs / The Apology Part 1
Listen to "Summary critique of Apology by Plato - Part 2 [22 Mins]" on Spreaker.
Description: I gave this book 1 star because it aspires to nefarious goals and it's terrible writing. Therefore consider this a podcast book review critique. I make many references to the earlier podcast entitled Meno by Plato so you may want to listen to that one first.
If you are familiar with Plato's work, then you know that Socrates has a passion for debate. The stakes are high this time, because in this case Socrates is arguing to save his life.
The book opens to the very public trial of Socrates who divides his accusers into two camps: those of long ago and those in the present day. He argues that his accusers of long ago hate him because they are filled with jealousy. According to him, a friend asked the Oracle if Socrates was the smartest man and they Oracle said, yes. This sent Socrates on a quest because he disagreed with her assessment. He planned to find someone who exceeded him in wisdom so he could present the man to the Oracle and demand an explanation. First he went to the politicians and questioned the man of the best reputation for wisdom. After concluding with his questions he judged the man to be among the greatest of fools and said so publicly. This had the expected outcome: the man and his friends hated Socrates and sought his ruin. According to Socrates they circulated lies about him. After meeting with the politician next he turned to the poets and then the artisans. In each case, after questioning these men, he publicly humiliated them and after concluding the men of the best reputation were fools. This group then comprised the accusers of long ago. The second accusation was that Socrates was teaching the people atheism and corrupting the children. They further insinuated that he did this for pay and his accusers warned the judges and the people that Socrates spoke with a forceful eloquence.
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