5A Plato Flashcards
Who are Socrates’ ‘first accusers’?
Athenians, older ones like Aristophanes (the ones who first spread rumours about him)
What does Socrates say is the accusation at the root of the slander against him?
He’s guilty of researching what’s beneath the earth and in the heavens (physics and astrology) and using rhetoric to manipulate people into thinking the wrong thing is the right one
What oracle does Socrates claim Chaerophon got?
That no one is wiser than Socrates
What did Socrates do in response to the oracle?
He went to someone who was considered wise and ‘examined’ him to see who was wiser, moving from person to person as he remained unsatisfied with his findings
According to Socrates, why do people slander him?
Because he possesses a ‘certain sort’ of wisdom
What was the affidavit (charge sheet) against Socrates?
Corrupting the young and believing in different gods to the city
According to Meletus, what gods does Socrates believe in?
None
If the jury offered to let Socrates go on the condition that he stop doing philosophy, what would he say?
I shall never stop doing philosophy
According to Socrates when the Athenians are like a horse, what is he like?
A gadfly
According to Socrates, what would have happened if he’d tried to have a political career?
He’d have been of no use to the Athenians and long ago would have come to a sticky end
In what context is Plato mentioned?
As one of the people at the trial who have followed Socrates without complaint from them nor their relatives
How old is Socrates? How old are his sons?
Socrates is 70 and his sons are a prepubescent boy and two young children
When Socrates’ accusers propose the death penalty, what alternative does he propose?
That he either be fed at public expense or a small fine
According to Socrates, what will happen to the Athenians once he’s dead?
More people will challenge them (Socrates was holding them back) and they’ll be harsher because they’re younger
What does Socrates ask his friends among the Athenians to do for him once he’s dead?
He asks that if his sons grow up to care more for money (or anything else) over excellence, that they be punished by means of being treated as Socrates had treated the people of Athens
