The Apology is one of the greatest speeches in Western civilization. It is also arguably the best introduction to the character of Socrates. While First Alcibiades is the historic first dialogue students of Platonic philosophy would read, the Apology is a popular dialogue for introducing who Socrates is and his vocation. The text contains some of the most famous stories and quotes from Socrates and is a work worth reading well.
To discuss this text, Dcn. Garlick hosted Fr. Justin Brophy, OP, a Dominican scholar who has a love for Plato. “Justin” is his religious name and is taken after St. Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), an Early Church Father who converted to Christianity and saw a deep harmony between Christianity and Platonism. Fr. Brophy is an excellent tutor on Plato, and Ascend was happy to host him.
Here is everything you receive in the guide:
A 19-page guide (9800+ words) that explores the dialogue deeply
An introductory letter from Dcn. Garlick
Preliminary themes to consider before reading
A very detailed outline of the entire dialogue
30 robust questions on the text
The Apology is one of the best things you could read and this guide is one of the best ways to understand it.
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Introductory Letter by Dcn. Garlick
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates
Dear Ascend Book Club Members,
The Apology lies at the heart of Western civilization. It recounts Socrates’ defense at his trial in 399 BC, and it is without question one of the most important and influential texts in the great books canon. Socrates has discovered the truth about the human soul, and the reality of that discovery transforms him—a transformation that challenges the political and societal norms of Athens. While not an allegory, the Apology can be seen as philosophy on trial, and how the truth discovered by philosophy is unsettling to the statesmen, poets, craftsmen, and sophists. Moreover, the Apology raises questions about the one and the many, about the virtuous, great man against the crowds, the demos, the democratic men.
Below is the full guide available to download. A wonderful resource!