read passage and answer questions

Questions on Plato’s Apology pp. 502-531 in Plato (pp. 423-446 in older editions)

1. What are the non-formal charges Socrates feels he must defend himself against?

2. What question did Socrates’ friend Chaerephon put to the Oracle at Delphi? What was the Oracle’s answer?

3. After hearing from the Oracle, who does Socrates examine and why? What, according to Socrates was the result? What is Socrates’ ultimate conclusion concerning the Oracle’s claim, and upon what basis does he draw this conclusion?

4. What are the formal charges brought against Socrates, and who makes them?

5. What is Socrates’ point about the horse trainer?

6. Socrates asks Meletus if he believes Socrates corrupts the youth intentionally or unintentionally. What is Meletus’ answer, and what does Socrates make of it?

7. Socrates asks Meletus if he believes Socrates to be an atheist (one who doesn’t believe in any gods). What is Meletus’ answer, and in what manner is this response problematic?

8. What does Socrates say he believes happens to us after death and what reason does he give for saying this? What consequence does this belief have for Socrates?

9. During the trial, what is Socrates’ defense that he has not been corrupting the youth?

10. When Socrates is found guilty, what is his first proposal for his penalty? What, then, is his final suggestion?