In an essay of at 1000 - 1500 words (4-6 pages double spaced) summarize the main arguments presented by Socrates in Plato's Apology. An adequate summary of these arguments is not simply a list of the conclusions Socrates reaches. Instead, an adequate summary consists in a description of the reasons Socrates gives and a discussion of the rationale he employs in support of his conclusions; in addition to a brief discussion of the conclusions and their meaning.
In your essay be sure to answer the following questions: What is the main value Socrates espouses in the Apology? How does Socrates defend himself against the crimes of which he is accused? What does Socrates recommend in terms of a penalty for his crimes, and what reasons does he offer to prefer death rather than a life without philosophy?
Lastly, reflect on the lessons of the Apology and apply them to your own life. Do you value self-knowledge? Do you think you can lead a good or fulfilling life without the kind of self-knowledge Socrates thought was essential to a life worth living?
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