Plato's dialogues...The Apology?

Question

Socrates, in his apparent apology, maddens his judges by presenting them with their own inadequacy. Could Plato, in his writing of the apology, have imposed his own philosophies upon the dialogue? Is it possible that Plato was imparting a warning to all future philosophers of the nature of truth?

Answer 1

The good doctor is essentially correct, although I would not use the term "mouthpiece" as much as, say, avatar.

The story is supposed to be that Plato, because of his philosophical position and his real lack of experience as favored student of Socrates wished to give Socrates all the credit he could.

The Republic, though, with the incredible image of the cave appears to have been all Plato.

I'm not so sure the idea was a "warning" as much as it was an editorial . . .. it was cool though as in "I wished I'd said that".

Answer 2

wouldn't doubt it.

Answer 3

Socrates may never have existed at all except as a literary vehicle, an embodiment of Plato's "philosopher'. Your charge could be leveled against all of the Dialogues. I think the story is more a warning about the power of mass delusion than the nature of truth. People didn't want the truth, so they used numbers to eliminate it.

Answer 4

Socrates’ became a victim of his success and the infidelity of the mob. He cites being plagued by a demon, heartening to one such as I, by whose will if not counsel he is led.

Envy and anger are the major cause of ruination, defamation and deconstruction of many a great noble mind. Laws implemented to protect such sacred souls are invariably exploited by the ruthless engineering and machinations of the fiends, and rarely taken up by those for whom the protection was intended.

The apology is lengthy and wordy and sounds a tad confusing, and overly generous to the manipulators it seeks to ingratiate itself towards, in the stead of reproach or condemnation for their scheming and transgression.

Regarding the issue of warnings to future philosophers, a philosopher worthy of his stature and adept at his craft seeks closure and concludes his each tenet, word and given truth. The truth, possible arguments for, against, sub-outcomes of contentions, paving a path towards surmising and concluding the construction of the given truth.Disputed truths become conjecture and opinion and bear no relation to the quantum truth that is Philosophy. When the ill wind blows man turns as abruptly as the hand of fate. God too is a victim, then what is man.

The concurrent need for philosophy assumes man has not gained any discernable insight, learning or truth to facilitate his liberation of a modern world much profiting and reliant upon his dependency. There is little room in modern day faddish society for ancient antiquated wisdom.

Answer 5

It's a very common question that is raised by historians.  But at least we have more than just Plato's accounts of some of these things to go on.  Aristophanes wrote a play poking fun at Socrates (according to accounts, Socrates was there for the first show and found it hilarious).  And Xenophon and Aristotle both made comments about Socrates' work as well.

The general consensus, along with the timing of when these dialogues were published, suggests that many of Plato's early accounts of Socrates were probably pretty darn close.  There would have been a number of people around who could have contradicted fabrications on Plato's part, especially about such a public thing as an Athenian trial.  So the Apology is probably not really Plato so much.

Most tend to think that Plato did start taking more and more liberties in later works, though, so that ultimately Socrates is little more than a mouthpiece in the Republic.

Answer 6

It is not possible Plato's motivations can be considered completely separate from Socrates'. Plato is the author, and nowhere in his dialogues are there any accounts of his own conversations with Socrates. Plato has concealed the highest things for future philosophers. Let me state again...Plato has concealed the highest things for future philosophers. If he had not accomplished this there would be no future philosophers. No one would be wondering about this man, Socrates, whose precarious status amongst the Athenians mirrors the precarious status of higher education in our own era.

Who loves the truth the most...who loved Socrates the most? It is clear Alcibiades and Plato were most trusted by Socrates. Alcibiades and the Athenians had an unusual relationship [love affair] indeed! With Plato things are much less daring, but nonetheless even more incredible. Love: the undercurrent. What caution in precarious times? No. It's not  bourgeois caution between the lines. It is no less than what makes the best come-to-be. These lived to the fullest. They held back nothing. Plato poured forth an inestimable treasure.

If this is imposition, Plato, I've just emptied my kylix in honor of your imposition, your mettle. Ditto Alcibiades.

Ditto Socrates.