Apologizing for Socrates examines some of Plato's and Xenophon's Socratic writings, specifically those that address well-known controversiese concerning the life and death of Socrates. Gabriel Danzig argues that the effort to defend Socrates from a variety of contemporary charges helps explain some of the central philosophical arguments and literary features that appear in these works. Concentrating on the two Apologies, Crito, Euthyphro, Xenophon's Symposium and Memorabilia, Lysis, and Oeconommicus, Danzig argues that the apologetic efforts were essential for rebuilding the community of Socratic friends and companions, which was devastated by the trial and death of Socrates. The Socratic writings are not merely literary or philosophical endeavors, but also political acts of great competence.
Autorentext
Gabriel Danzig is Professor of Classical Studies at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. He is the current President of the International Society for Socratic Studies and his previous titles include Socrates at Play: The Social Virtues in the Symposia of Plato and Xenophon (2025) and Xenophon's Virtues (2024), co-edited with David M. Johnson and David Konstan.
Zusammenfassung
Apologizing for Socrates places some of the Platonic and Xenophontic writings in the context of contemporary controversies over Socrates, providing a perspective in which many of the philosophic and literary features of the text can be explained. In addition, it sheds light on the apologetic techniques used by Plato and Xenophon.
Inhalt
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter One. Plato and Xenophon on Socrates' Behavior in Court (The Apologies)
Chapter 3 Chapter Two. Building a Community under Fire (Crito)
Chapter 4 Chapter Three. Disgracing Meletus (Euthyphro)
Chapter 5 Chapter Four. Xenophon's Socratic Seductions (Memorabilia)
Chapter 6 Chapter Five. Plato's Socratic Seductions (Lysis)
Chapter 7 Chapter Six. Why Socrates was not a farmer: Xenophon's Apology for Socrates in Oeconomicus