Platonic defences of Socrates: The apology, symposium and other works

Abstract

Does Plato defend Socrates in his dialogues? This is my main question throughout this paper which aims to prove that Plato indeed, at least in the examined works, defends his master. I examine in the following order Plato’s Apology, the Symposium, the Meno, the Euthydemus and Charmides. The first two Platonic works comprise chapter one and two respectively, while the three following works compose chapter three. Each chapter includes an introduction, an analysis of my thesis statement and a short conclusion. In the close study of the five works above, my aim is to identify Plato’s means of Socrates’ defence (figures of speech, direct/ indirect defending arguments) against his formal and informal accusations (corruption of the young, impiety, relation to the Sophists). I also identify common traits between these and other Platonic works, while I compare them with works of other ancient scholars too (e.g. Xenophon). Providing the claims of many contemporary scholars, I hope to complete the picture of the Platonic defence.