The Ironic Defense of Socrates: Plato's Apology

by David M. Leibowitz

• ISBN13: 9780521194792
• ISBN10: 0521194792
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-07-12
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book offers a controversial new interpretation of Plato's Apology of Socrates. By paying unusually close attention to what Socrates indicates about the meaning and extent of his irony, David Leibowitz arrives at unconventional conclusions about Socrates' teaching on virtue, politics, and the gods; the significance of his famous turn from natural philosophy to political philosophy; and the purpose of his insolent "defense speech." Leibowitz shows that Socrates is not just a colorful and quirky figure from the distant past but an unrivaled guide to the good life - the thoughtful life - who is as relevant today as in ancient Athens. On the basis of his unconventional understanding of the dialogue as a whole, and of the Delphic oracle story in particular, Leibowitz also attempts to show that the Apology is the key to the Platonic corpus, indicating how many of the disparate themes and apparently contradictory conclusions of the other dialogues fit together.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Title and Preliminary Considerations	p. 2
The Importance and Puzzling Character of the Apology of Socrates	p. 2
Plato's Intension	p. 5
Prooeminum (17a1-18a6)	p. 8
The Problem of Truthfulness	p. 8
Disputes about Socratic Irony	p. 21
Socrates' Defense Speeches	p. 37
Prothesis (18a7-19a7)	p. 39
The Charges of the First Accusers	p. 39
The Purpose of Socrates' Speech	p. 39
Defense against the Charges of the First Accusers (19a8-24b2)	p. 49
Refutation of Their Charges (19a8-20c3)	p. 49
First Digression: How the Charges of the First Accusers Arose (20c4-23e3)	p. 60
Transition to the Present Accusers (23e3-24b2)	p. 114
Defense against the Present Accusers (24b3-28b2)	p. 116
Refutation of the Corruption Charge (24b3-26b2)	p. 116
Reply to the Impiety Charges (26b2-28a1)	p. 129
Conclusion of the Defense against the Present Accusers (28a2-b2)	p. 135
Second Digression (28b3-34b5)	p. 137
Nobility and Death (28b3-33a1)	p. 137
The Movement of the Digression	p. 149
Teaching and Corruption the Young (33a1-34b5)	p. 151
Epilogue (34b6-35d8)	p. 154
Socrates' Rhetorical Strategy	p. 154
Penalty Section (35e1-38b9)	p. 161
The Greatest Good	p. 162
Final Speech (38c1-42a5)
Speech to the Condemners (38c1-39d9)	p. 166
Speech to the Acquitters: Stories about Death (39e1-41e1)	p. 167
Indirect Speech to the Condemners: Socrates' Sons	p. 41e1-42a5)
Conclusion
Socrates' Human Wisdom and Knowledge of Virtue	p. 175
Strength of Soul	p. 181
Socrates' Death	p. 182
Short Titles	p. 185
Bibliography	p. 187
Index	p. 193
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