CONTENTS.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Grote, George
406
The Dialogues must be reviewed as distinct compositions by the same author, illustrating each other, but without assignable inter-dependence
407
Order of the Dialogues, chosen for bringing them under separate review. Apology will come first; Timæus, Kritias, Leges, Epinomis last
ib.
Kriton and Euthyphron come immediately after Apology. The intermediate dialogues present no convincing grounds for any determinate order
408
CHAPTER IX.
Apology of Sokrates.
The Apology is the real defence delivered by Sokrates before the Dikasts, reported by Plato, without intentional transformation
410
Even if it be Plato’s own composition, it comes naturally first in the review of his dialogues
411
General character of the Apology — Sentiments entertained towards Sokrates at Athens
412
Declaration from the Delphian oracle respecting the wisdom of Sokrates, interpreted by him as a mission to cross-examine the citizens generally — The oracle is proved to be true
413
False persuasion of wisdom is universal — the God alone is wise
414
Emphatic assertion by Sokrates of the cross-examining mission imposed upon him by the God
ib.
He had devoted his life to the execution of this mission, and he intended to persevere in spite of obloquy or danger
416
He disclaims the function of a teacher — he cannot teach, for he is not wiser than others. He differs from others by being conscious of his own ignorance
ib.
He does not know where competent teachers can be found. He is perpetually seeking for them, but in vain
417
Impression made by the Platonic Apology on Zeno the Stoic
418
Extent of efficacious influence claimed by Sokrates for himself — exemplified by Plato throughout the Dialogues of Search — Xenophon and Plato enlarge it
ib.
Assumption by modern critics, that Sokrates is a positive teacher, employing indirect methods for the inculcation of theories of his own
419
Incorrectness of such assumption — the Sokratic Elenchus does not furnish a solution, but works upon the mind of the respondent, stimulating him to seek for a solution of his own
420
Value and importance of this process — stimulating active individual minds to theorise each for itself
421
View taken by Sokrates about death. Other men profess to know what it is, and think it a great misfortune: he does not know
422
Reliance of Sokrates on his own individual reason, whether agreeing or disagreeing with others