Platos Apology Essay -- Apology by Plato

Plato's Apology Plato’s Apology is the story of the trial of Socrates, the charges brought against him and his maintaining of his own innocence throughout the process. At the onset of the trial, Socrates appears to challenging the charges, which included corrupting the youth, challenging belief in the gods that were accepted and reveled by the State, and introducing a new religious focus, but also belittles his own significance and suggesting that he will not attempt to disprove that he participated in the actions maintained by the court. In essence, Socrates appears almost self-effacing, and his defense surprises even his accuser, Meletus. But by the end of the Apology, Socrates becomes almost a different person, demonstrating his own value while refusing to beg for forgiveness even to save his own life. This view of Socrates presented by Plato demonstrates the difference between a man accused and a man condemned, and in the end, Socrates has nothing to lose by providing instructi on to the people through his remarks. At the onset of the trial, Socrates recognizes that the primary reason for the accusations are not that he himself did not have value or that he was instructing students in a way that had not happened in the past, but that circumstances surrounding the trial had led to the perception that men like Socrates were challenging the standards of government. Though Socrates suggests that his value for the State was unending through out the process, the fact that his teachings asked the youth to explore their values, their systems of thought, and to question authority was a significant problem for a sometimes wavering State. I think that it was right of Socrates to encourage the youth to think for th... ...h others can begin to understand his wisdom. Socrates suggests that if death is a journey where all must go, then he will simply take that journey, and at the end, spend his time assisting others in examining their lives. Socrates suggests not only that he accepts the outcome, but also that he himself will welcome the chance to do in death what he was condemned for in life. The completion of this sort of â€Å"examination† on the part of the few or the many is not possible. If a person or nation is to grow and move forward the process of self-examination will never be complete. The journey of â€Å"examination† in itself could provide the insight needed to make significant changes in today’s moral and political thinking. I think that Socrates â€Å"examination† leads to a scale of Christian ethical values that the United States and much of the world today is lacking.

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MORALS Morals are ethics, codes, values, principles and custom of a person or society. It is the study of human behavior about what is wrong or right, good or bad. Morals are the values which establish the standard of every individual towards the society. It helps the person to develop sense of loyalty towards his responsibilities and duties. It is key to distinguish wrong person from right on the basis of behavior to others and society. They are the ideals of the person which are followed by them in their life.Some of examples of morals â€Å"are not to cheat others for illegal purpose†, â€Å"always respect elders† and â€Å"not be cruel to animals†. ETHICS: It is that branch of philosophy that is concerned with evaluation of human behavior. It is the quality or state of being of sound moral principle such as uprightness, honesty and sincerity. Ethics in general means behavior which indicates right or wrong behavior of person. It is bunch of moral values and fu ndamental principles which determines moral duties and obligation.Ethics is the study and judgment of good or bad, right or wrong etc. It determines such professional standards, commitment and fairness towards their profession or general public. It is the standard of conduct by which individual guides his own actions and judges that of others. Ethics is also used in determining public policy. For e. g. â€Å"Is getting an abortion immoral? †, â€Å"What are human rights, how do we determine them? † and â€Å"Do animals have rights as well? † INTEGRITY: Integrity refers to quality of person’s character.Integrity is a matter of persons integrating various parts of their personality into a harmonious, intact whole. Integrity helps the persons to draw line between his orders of preference. For example â€Å"An intelligent person spent his limited money on the most desired need and than on other need†. The person of sound mind, sincerity and trustworthi ness can make such intelligent decisions. The person with integrity earns more respect in respect to others as they are more effective leaders. Therefore, the people who lead their life with integrity receive more success.REFERENCEReferred to sites:- 1. http://www. google. com/search? hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLR_enIN237IN238&defl=en&q=define:morals&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title Definitions of morals on the Web: 2. http://www. google. com/search? hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLR_enIN237IN238&defl=en&q=define:ethics&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title Definitions of ethics on the Web: 3. http://www. google. com/search? hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLR_enIN237IN238&defl=en&q=define:integrity&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title Definitions of integrity on the Web: Dated 31st August 2007

Metacomet (King Philips) War