Socrates against Athens : philosophy on trial / James A. Colaiaco.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Colaiaco, James A., 1945-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Socrates--Trials, litigation, etc.

Socrates.

Physical Description:

xi, 266 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York ; London : Routledge, 2001.

Summary:

As an essential companion to Plato's Apology and Crito this book provides valuable historical and cultural context for our understanding of the trial of Socrates. James A. Colaiaco explores both sides of the tragic collision of values between the philosopher and the state, engaging the fundamental question of whether philosophy and politics are compatible. The complexity and significance of the trial is illuminated through discussion of such important elements as the nature of Athenian democracy, the polis ideal, Greek shame culture, Athenian religion, civil disobedience, and Socrates' rejection of politics.

Contents:

1. Introduction: A Tragic Confrontation 1

2. Setting The Stage For The Trial 13

Historicity of the Apology

3. Socrates And Rhetoric 23

Athens

City of Speech

Socrates' Opening Remarks: Dismantling Forensic Rhetoric

4. Socrates Confronts His Old Accusers 37

Socrates and Aristophanes' Clouds

Socrates Denies He Is a Teacher of Natural Science

Socrates Denies He Is a Sophist

5. Socrates' Radical Philosophic Mission 55

The Delphic Oracle

Socrates Examines the Politicians, Poets, and Craftsmen

The Mask of Ignorance

Solving the Riddle of the Oracle

6. The Athenian Polis Ideal 75

The Funeral Oration of Pericles: Apotheosis of the Polis

Homeric Shame Culture

Democracy Appropriates Homer

The Polis and the Individual

7. Socrates Confronts His Present Accusers: The Interrogation Of Meletus 105

Corrupting the Young

The Polis as Teacher

Athenian Polis Religion

Socrates and Impiety

8. Socrates Brings The Philosophic Mission Into The Court 131

Death Bears No Sting

Caring for One's Soul

Stepping Up the Offensive

The Gadfly

9. The Politics Of An Unpolitical Man 151

A Private Rather Than a Public Station

Socrates' Divine Voice

Defender of Justice

10. The Trial Concludes: Socrates Condemned 167

The Corruption Charge Revisited

Rejecting an Appeal for Sympathy

Proposing a Counterpenalty

Truth Fails to Persuade

Parting Words to Enemies

Parting Words to Friends

11. Socrates And Civil Disobedience: The Crito 187

Socrates and Antigone

Socrates Dismisses the Shame Culture

Justice and the Soul

Socrates Argues for the Laws

The Skillful Ironist

Fulfilling the Will of a Benevolent God

12. Conclusion: A Conflict Unresolved 215.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

041592653X

0415926548

OCLC:

47149932