Plato’s “The Apology”, Essay Example

Plato’s The Apology is a description of the speech, which Socrates makes at the trial when charged with not acknowledging the gods accepted by the state and the people, creating idols and divine beings, and distorting the young generation of Athens. However, the speech of Socrates is absolutely not an apology or an admission of guilt in our modern comprehension of the word. It is rather a defense, in which Socrates makes an effort to preserve his righteousness and his philosophic life.

In front of the judges, with his life at risk, Socrates maintains his calm and unshakably manner, defending his way of life as unalterably righteous. Ever since the death of Socrates, his speech has served as motivation and vindication for philosophical theorists. Moreover, Socrates, despite his lengthy defensive speech, does not seek to clear himself from all charges, but rather to intentionally make certain that he would be found guilty and, consequently, sentenced to death. In The Apology we clearly witness what Socrates considers to be a philosophic life. He willingly condemns himself to death, in order to prove that taking the right course of action is superior to the one, which might save his life. “Someone will say: And are you not ashamed, Socrates, of a course of life which is likely to bring you to an untimely end?   To him I may fairly answer: There you are mistaken: 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” (Apology). This is Socrates most preserved belief, that in giving his life for his values he would be picking the noblest act rather than the most evident.

In The Republic Plato desires to define justice. Moreover, he wants to define it in such a way as to demonstrate that justice is meaningful in and of itself. However, he stumbles upon two major questions with a single answer: a classification of justice that calls for human psychology, rather than to recognized conducts. The understanding of a just society and a just individual vividly correspond with each other. Furthermore, every class of the society is controlled by one of the three elements of the soul: appetites, spirits, and strive for wisdom. Plato argues that, “though each of the three main character types (money-loving, honor-loving, and truth-loving) have their own conceptions of pleasure and of the corresponding good life (each choosing his own life as the most pleasant sort), only the philosopher is in the position to judge since only he is capable of experiencing all three types of pleasure” (The Republic). In The Republic we clearly witness the view of the philosophic life: philosophical pleasure being the only real pleasure, while all other pleasures are only termination of constant pain. Moreover, Plato emphasizes the importance of being just. Rather than defining justice as a collection of behavioral standards Plato distinguishes justice as structural, in which political justice exists in the organization of the city and individual justice dwells in the constitution of the soul. In the just soul, the aspirations of the realistic, truth-devoted part dictate the primary aims of a human being. Additionally, the truly just soul struggles entirely toward truth and integrity. “A just man tries to get the better of his unlike, but not of his like; and unjust man tries to get the better of both.” (Plato 24)

A philosopher is a person who is trying to explain the meaning of things, understand their purpose and existence and then share his/her thoughts with other people. Niccolo Machiavelli has devoted his life to the investigation of politics and power, virtue and fortune, religion and morality. Many sources address the scientist as not simply philosopher, but rather as political philosopher because of the subjects of his works. “As a thinker Machiavelli belonged to an entire school of Florentine intellectuals concerned with an examination of political and historical problems.” (The Literature Network) Careful analysis of the major themes described in his novels can support the idea that Machiavelli indeed contributed philosophy a lot, and, therefore, can be considered one of the famous philosophers. Despite none of his books was published during the lifetime of the author; they are fundamental for modern political science.

In his novel The Prince (Il Principe), Niccolo Machiavelli analyzed the ideas of statesmanship and war craft. Scientist supposed that good military is a key factor for effective legislation. Moreover, Machiavelli has analyzed the condition of war and has driven several conclusions. For instance, the state of war is beneficial for both political development and country’s prosperity if nation wins the war. Secondly, he has investigated how the country to restrict possible threats of new territory conquers. Examining the free will, Machiavelli assumed that successes and failures of certain regimes are caused by political leader’s behavior only. Additionally, scientist has concluded that it is not necessary for the authority to be loved, but rather be feared. Human nature is another major theme of The Prince. According to Machiavelli, all people are self-interested. Admiration and fidelity are acquired and lost during one’s life as person’s characteristics change. “Ambition is commonly found among those who have achieved some power, but most common people are satisfied with the status quo and therefore do not yearn for increased status.” (SparkNotes)

In the Art of War, Machiavelli “explains in detail effective procedures for the acquisition, maintenance, and use of a military force”. (Philosophy Pages) When describing the tactics on the battlefield, scientist discusses various strategies that are useful depending on the situation. He suggests that strategies should be modified and adjusted. Otherwise, battle or even war can be lost. In comparison to the generals, writer considers politics to be “generals” during the peacetime. “Hence, the prince just like the general needs to be in possession of virtù, that is, to know which strategies and techniques are appropriate to what particular circumstances”. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Phylosophy)

In Discourses on Livy Machiavelli expresses his own political beliefs and the way he thought is the best one for governmental legislation. “Here, too, however, Machiavelli’s conception of the proper application of morality to practical political life is one that judges the skill of all participants in terms of the efficacy with which they achieve noble ends.” (Philosophy Pages) Additionally, only well-balanced mechanisms of power can form healthy and prosperous nation. The goal of every political regime is to satisfy the needs of the nation by means of active and just participation in all strategic spheres of national economy, education, and culture.

In these and many other books, Machiavelli was primarily focused on politics. His goal was not to propose some better way of government regulation, but to examine the very nature of politics and effective legislation. Machiavelli believed that to run the country effectively, person needed to understand both internal and external factors that affect this type of leadership, personal characteristics of people in power. He was concerned with the state of government and political order as Plato, Aristotle, and Locke. Themes and ideas expressed in the works of Machiavelli have enough evidence to refer to this scientist as a philosopher or “political philosopher”.

Works Cited

The Republic. 16 Sept. 2009. 6 May 2009. <http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/republic/themes.html>

Apology. 6 May 2009. < http://socrates.clarke.edu/aplg0105.htm>

Plato. The Republic. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Plain Label Books, 1946

Philosophy Pages. 2006. Niccolo Machiavelli. May 7, 2009. <http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/macv.htm>.

SparkNotes. 2009. The prince. Niccolo Machiavelli. May 7, 2009. <http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/prince/themes.html>.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2005. Niccolo Machiavelli. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/>.

The Literature Network. 2009. Niccolo Machiavelli. May 7, 2009. <http://www.online-literature.com/machiavelli/>.