Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates
- Language:
- English
- Status:
- Complete work
- Authorship:
- Written by the author
- Condition of the text:
- No scanning noise detected (automatic measure over the whole text, not checked by hand)
- Extent:
- ~51,200 words · 243 passages
Cite this work
- APAPlato. (n.d.). Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates. Digital reproduction: SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/plato/apology-crito-and-phaedo-of-socrates
- MLAPlato. Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates. Digital reproduction, SigPhi, https://sigphiai.com/en/works/plato/apology-crito-and-phaedo-of-socrates.
- ChicagoPlato. Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates. Digital reproduction, SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/plato/apology-crito-and-phaedo-of-socrates.
Reference to the edition that SigPhi reproduces: SigPhi is its digital reproduction, not its publisher. The edition's year is not in the metadata (hence "n.d."), and the translator appears only when recorded.
What it is about
The three dialogues of Socrates' death gathered together: the defence before the court, the prison conversation on why not to flee, and the last day with the cup of hemlock.
Context and history
Athens, 399 BC: the trial, imprisonment and execution of Socrates, seen by Plato in three pieces that tradition reads in sequence like the acts of a single drama. The Apology gives the defence; the Crito, the reasons for not escaping when escape was easy — the covenant with the city's laws; the Phaedo, the final conversation about the soul and the serene death at dusk. Together they form the founding narrative of Western philosophy: the philosopher who lives and dies according to what he thinks.
Editorial context, not a citable source: unlike the passages of the work itself, these statements cannot be checked against the corpus.
_Socr._ You say well, by Juno! and have found a great abundance of those that confer benefit. But what further? Can these hearers make them better, or not? _Mel._ They, too, can. _Socr._ And what of the senators? _Mel._ The senators, also. _Socr._ But, Melitus, do those who attend the public assemblies corrupt the younger men? or do they all make them better? _Mel._ They too. _Socr._ All the Athenians, therefore, as it seems, make them honorable and good, except me; but I alone corrupt them. Do you say so? _Mel._ I do assert this very thing. _Socr._ You charge me with great ill-fortune. But answer me: does it appear to you to be the same, with respect to horses? Do all men make them better, and is there only some one that spoils them? or does quite the contrary of this take place? Is there some one person who can make them better, or very few; that is, the trainers? But if the generality of men should meddle with and make use of horses, do they spoil them? Is not this the case, Melitus, both with respect to horses and all other animals? It certainly is so, whether you and Anytus deny it or not. For it would be a great good-fortune for the youth if only one person corrupted, and the rest benefited them. However, Melitus, you have sufficiently shown that you never bestowed any care upon youth; and you clearly evince your own negligence, in that you have never paid any attention to the things with respect to which you accuse me. 13. Tell us further, Melitus, in the name of Jupiter, whether is it better to dwell with good or bad citizens? Answer, my friend; for I ask you nothing difficult. Do not the bad work some evil to those that are continually near them, but the good some good? _Mel._ Certainly. _Socr._ Is there any one that wishes to be injured rather than benefited by his associates? Answer, good man; for the law requires you to answer. Is there any one who wishes to be injured? _Mel._ No, surely. _Socr.…