Assignment on Plato, selections from "The Apology" (ca. 390 B.C.)

Please use this text. That way we all have the same page numbers.

Plato, who always wrote dialogues with Socrates as the main character, wrote "The Apology" to detail the trial and testimony of Socrates after he was condemned for blaspheming the gods and corrupting the youth.

Plato expressed a strong sense of loyalty to the state.

Read the selection carefully, then . . .

1) Explain what Plato has Socrates say about why he won't try to avoid the death sentence that has been handed to him. [100+ words]

2) Look at the references each makes to honor/dishonor (there are 5 in each case).

What does each say about it? Do you agree with their reasoning? Why? Why not? [100+ words]

Prof. Furr's classes only:

Please study I.F. Stone's article on Plato's "Apology" from the New York Times Magazine in 1979 titled "I.F. Stone Breaks the Socrates Story: An old muckraker sheds fresh light on the 2,500-year-old mystery and reveals some Athenian political realities that Plato did his best to hide."

Stone has a theory about why Plato was sentenced to death. Outline that theory in 100 - 150 words. CAREFULLY!

Total length (for Prof. Furr's classes): 300 - 450 words, quotations not included (they are not your writing and thinking).

Print both texts out and bring them to class with you. Print out your HW assignment and bring it too.

Email to me and to your group.