Study Questions for Plato's Socrates' Apology - Day 3

Speech II

1. What does Socrates feel that he deserves for his behavior? (Underline the passage.)  How do you think the Athenians would respond to his counter-proposal?

2. Does arrogance play a role in Socrates' behavior? (Support your answer with evidence.) Is that OK? (Should it matter whether or not he is arrogant?)

3. Is he really an example of a man who lived and died by his own philosophy? Or is he a self-appointed martyr? Are they mutually exclusive?  Is there virtue in being a martyr?

4. The Apology presents a very sympathetic view of Socrates.  If you were one of his accusers, how might you have put your case?

Speech III

5. What do you think Socrates means by his "divine sign" (daimon)?

6. Why does Socrates accept the penalty of death rather than recant his transgressions? Use supporting evidence from the text. (Underline passages which support your thesis.)

7. In the final speech, Socrates begins a long discourse on the reincarnation of the soul. Discuss his reasoning and summarize his argument for the continuance of the soul after death.

Last Thoughts

8. If you had been a juror at his trail, would you have found Socrates guilty? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning carefully.

9. Imagine your next door neighbor learns that you are studying philosophy in class. In conversation your neighbor confronts you, "Heck, that stuff is just a bunch of hot air. I heard that you can't even define the subject! Isn't that true? You aren't ever going to use any of that stuff. What value does it have? Will it help you earn money? You could be studying something which will improve your scores on CAT6, Stanford 9, PSAT, and AP Tests.. You should focus on material that has more answers and fewer questions!"  How would Socrates answer the neighbor?  How would you, honestly answer your neighbor?

10. And finally, is retaining one's ethical dignity (living by one's principles) worth dying for? For Socrates? For you?

Special Thanks to Professors Janice Siegel of Illinois State University, Professor Lew Hinchman of Clarkson College, Dr. Tom Kearnes of North Seattle Community College, Professor John MacFarlane at UC Berkeley, and Andrew Messchaert at Porterville Community College in CA.