Apology

By Plato

Translated by Benjamin Jowett

COMPLETE ANCIENT CLASSICS

The Apology of Socrates by Plato, presents the speech of self-defence given by Socrates in his trial for impiety and corruption (399 BC) -- specifically against the charges of "corrupting the young, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel".

The Apology of Socrates is the dialogue that depicts the death of Socrates, and is one of the four works, along with Euthyphro, Phaedo, and Crito, through which Plato details the final days of the philosopher Socrates.

The Apology begins with Socrates saying he does not know if the men of Athens (his jury) have been persuaded by his accusers. This first sentence is crucial to the theme of the entire speech. Indeed, in the Apology Socrates will suggest that philosophy begins with a sincere admission of ignorance; he later clarifies this, dramatically stating that whatever wisdom he has, comes from his thinking that he knows nothing.