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alok_pandey's review against another edition
2.0
Truth be told I was underwhelmed by this classic. The hype created around Western philosophical works of antiquity was one of the probable reasons. But the biggest factor was that I was, throughout the length of the book, feeling constantly that it was something ‘written by Plato’(Socrates’ disciple) and not ‘spoken by Socrates’ himself.
Was Plato a bad writer? I hope not. He has written other classics like The Republic(which I have read in parts only). Seems like the motivation of writing Apology might have been different from that of Plato’s other works on political philosophy. There were times when in his attempt to absolve Socrates of the charges put on him by the Greek prosecutors and draw out his point of view, Plato ended up depicting him as a cynical and sarcastic man, a far cry from someone who was so self-assured that he didn’t mind drinking hemlock for his convictions.
I was hoping to know Socrates through ‘his apology’. I am not sure I could.
Was Plato a bad writer? I hope not. He has written other classics like The Republic(which I have read in parts only). Seems like the motivation of writing Apology might have been different from that of Plato’s other works on political philosophy. There were times when in his attempt to absolve Socrates of the charges put on him by the Greek prosecutors and draw out his point of view, Plato ended up depicting him as a cynical and sarcastic man, a far cry from someone who was so self-assured that he didn’t mind drinking hemlock for his convictions.
I was hoping to know Socrates through ‘his apology’. I am not sure I could.
moonpie's review against another edition
4.0
[A] man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong—acting the part of a good man or of a bad.
[I]f you kill me you will not easily find another like me, who, if I may use such a ludicrous figure of speech, am a sort of gadfly, given to the state by the God; and the state is like a great and noble steed who is tardy in his motions owing to his very size, and requires to be stirred into life. I am that gadfly which God has given the state and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching you. And as you will not easily find another like me, I would advise you to spare me
Took half a star off because one line made me very annoyed which I know is unfair, product of its time, cannot apply today's sensibilities to blah blah blah, but I was annoyed which detracted from my enjoyment and that's how I rate things. It was great right up until the very end of this very long sentence, then damn, reminded that I am inferior by Socrates via Plato:
"I have seen men of reputation, when they have been condemned, behaving in the strangest manner: they seemed to fancy that they were going to suffer something dreadful if they died, and that they could be immortal if you only allowed them to live; and I think that they were a dishonor to the state, and that any stranger coming in would say of them that the most eminent men of Athens, to whom the Athenians themselves give honor and command, are no better than women."
Here's a link to the text that I read, but I'd advise finding a better formatted copy of The Apology, because this big old wall o' type was hard to focus on: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
I also read the SparkNotes since I don't know much about Plato or Socrates, probably should have read the text there too, as the formatting has to be better: https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/apology/
tomebro's review against another edition
5.0
Let me just say this was not what I expected at all - I took the "apology" part literally. It's basically Socrates roasting everyone who is judging or accusing him of doing wrong. He is by no means nice about it, although he claims to have no anger towards his accusers, but instead is angry at the reasons why he has been convicted. As Socrates does.
His defense makes logical sense, but Socrates relies on logic and reasoning alone. He acknowledges that men are men, and emotions must be part of the decision making, and therein lies his biggest logically fallacy: emotions and logic are not separate, but depend on each other.
Socrates doesn't want to be right, he wants to be just. That is different then what justice is, especially in a time that was 2000+ years ago.
His defense makes logical sense, but Socrates relies on logic and reasoning alone. He acknowledges that men are men, and emotions must be part of the decision making, and therein lies his biggest logically fallacy: emotions and logic are not separate, but depend on each other.
Socrates doesn't want to be right, he wants to be just. That is different then what justice is, especially in a time that was 2000+ years ago.
philosokyle's review against another edition
5.0
the best part is when socrates apologizes and says “ope sorry for corrupting the youth won’t do it again” and then the athenians gave him a Performance Improvement Plan
kouverk's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to rate Plato. It's a classic; if you're interested in philosophy, just read it
reaganwaggoner's review against another edition
4.0
I find it difficult to even rate it four stars rather than five with as much significance as this dialogue has, but I rate it four stars nonetheless. Don't ask me why, because honestly I don't know.
This dialogue is brilliant, although it's more of a monologue with one isolated cross-examination that is more of a humiliation. Anyway. A few of my favorite isolated quotations:
How you, O Athenians, have been affected by my accusers, I cannot tell; but I know that they almost made me forget who I was - so persuasively did they speak; and yet they have hardly uttered a word of truth. -The Apology
The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways - I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows. -The Apology
Oh, also, I can't help but think of what a wonder a modified excerpt of this text would have been in the old atonement channel of AP CSA :)
This dialogue is brilliant, although it's more of a monologue with one isolated cross-examination that is more of a humiliation. Anyway. A few of my favorite isolated quotations:
How you, O Athenians, have been affected by my accusers, I cannot tell; but I know that they almost made me forget who I was - so persuasively did they speak; and yet they have hardly uttered a word of truth. -The Apology
The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways - I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows. -The Apology
Oh, also, I can't help but think of what a wonder a modified excerpt of this text would have been in the old atonement channel of AP CSA :)