Socrates 'Contradiction In Plato's The Apology'
In Plato’s The Apology, Socrates generates this speech at the trial where he is accused by Meletus of not believing in the gods that the city believes in, but believing in other spiritual things as he corrupts the youth with these ideas. He, then, attempts to defend and find the truth about these accusations. Socrates presents a sequence of questions for Meletus to answer, but aren’t; these questions showed the significant discrepancy in Meletus’ claim. As Socrates continues, it’s obvious how ridiculous Meletus’ sounds, as these statements are false. Socrates uses many statements that shows the contradiction in Meletus’ allegations towards him.
The claim Meletus made was that Socrates corrupted the young to believe in other spiritual things, …show more content…
He goes on to talk about Meletus contradicting himself again. He brings up points that have an obvious answer of no’s to them. If Socrates believes in human activities, then Socrates believes in humans. He goes on and makes statements that are similar. If Socrates believes in horses, then he believes in horsemen’s activities. If Socrates believes in flute-playing activities, then he must believe in flutes. As you can see, Socrates is asking anyone with a reasonable mind, he knows they would respond no to these questions being asked. These contradictions with Meletus’ statement makes it difficult to reach a conclusion. He shows no consistency within the statement made. Socrates gives a critical statement: “Does any man believe in spiritual activities who does not believe in spirits? - No one” ( 27b). Therefore, if Socrates believes in these spiritual activities, then he absolutely believes in spirits. These spirits and their activities can be defined to pertain to gods their activities. If Socrates believes in spirits, then Meletus’ accusation is completely false; Socrates does believes in gods. Socrates then goes on to say how no one would believe Meletus because he makes no sense. Socrates shows us how spirits are the children of these gods, even though he is said not to believe in the gods: “That would be just as absurd as to believe the young of horses and
The claim Meletus made was that Socrates corrupted the young to believe in other spiritual things, …show more content…
He goes on to talk about Meletus contradicting himself again. He brings up points that have an obvious answer of no’s to them. If Socrates believes in human activities, then Socrates believes in humans. He goes on and makes statements that are similar. If Socrates believes in horses, then he believes in horsemen’s activities. If Socrates believes in flute-playing activities, then he must believe in flutes. As you can see, Socrates is asking anyone with a reasonable mind, he knows they would respond no to these questions being asked. These contradictions with Meletus’ statement makes it difficult to reach a conclusion. He shows no consistency within the statement made. Socrates gives a critical statement: “Does any man believe in spiritual activities who does not believe in spirits? - No one” ( 27b). Therefore, if Socrates believes in these spiritual activities, then he absolutely believes in spirits. These spirits and their activities can be defined to pertain to gods their activities. If Socrates believes in spirits, then Meletus’ accusation is completely false; Socrates does believes in gods. Socrates then goes on to say how no one would believe Meletus because he makes no sense. Socrates shows us how spirits are the children of these gods, even though he is said not to believe in the gods: “That would be just as absurd as to believe the young of horses and