The Apology

The Prometheus Trust holds regular meetings for those interested in the living philosophical tradition, which traces its roots back to Plato and beyond.

During the next meeting, we will be discussing The Apology, which is Plato’s account of Socrates’ trial before a jury of 500 Athenian citizens.

Socrates was accused (by Anytus and Melitus, the prosecutors) of making innovations in the religion of his country and corrupting the youth. Trials in Athens at this time followed a formal course: those who brought charges laid them out, together with supporting evidence; the accused responded with whatever evidence they thought appropriate; the jury then voted guilty or not guilty (a simple majority was required one way or the other); if the vote was guilty, the accusers nominated an appropriate sentence and then the accused nominated an alternative one; the jury then voted on which one they thought should be accepted (again the decision required a simple majority).

You can read the paper here.