Socrates and His “Apology” Story

          There are many people out there mad at Socrates.  He claims many of them have had their feelings hurt by him and that resentment has fueled their desire to bring him to court and to see him punished.  He says he will not allow himself to be condemned by accusers acting merely on jealousy and hurt egos, and goes on to explain the origins behind his enemies hate. 

          Socrates says an oracle once professed that he was the wisest man in the world.  He himself did not believe that could be true and went out on a journey to find a wiser man than him.  His campaign led him to the top poets, craftsmen and politicians of his time.  He analyzed them, and through his interviews came to the conclusion that most of them were indeed gifted in their craft and foolish in believing that was enough to make them wise in other areas of life. 

          One by one they were told by Socrates that they were not wise are not, but rather pretenders.  He explains that the poet is often motivated by inspiration but most times he has no idea of what he is saying.  The poet does not often understand the meaning of the poetry he writes, and is therefore not wise.  The same outcome was found with politicians and craftsmen, and as these were told they were not wise they became angry and resentful towards Socrates.

          Many young rich kids began to feel the need to imitate Socrates, and went on their own quest to prove those same people unwise.  They were amused by Socrates and came to the same conclusion, further insulting the craftsmen and pushing the craftsmen to call Socrates a corruptor of young minds.  This pursuit of truth made him many enemies and his preoccupation with the quest had left him in utter poverty as well.  Worse of all, this anger held by his enemies would land him in court fighting for his life against untrue accusations.

          The last charge against Socrates was that of him not believing in the gods of the state.  he brought up his main accuser to the stand, a man called Meletus.  Using his ingenious mind Socrates was able to prove Meletus contradicting himself, calling Socrates an atheist and a follower of different gods at the same time, and that doomed that charge. 

          All of the charges against Socrates were found to be untrue, and none could stick,  in my opinion, he is innocent due to lack of evidence.  Socrates was a very smart man, and this proved to be his biggest weapon against his enemies.