SOCRATES AND THE PRACTICE OF EXAMINING ACCUSATIONS IN THE ATHENIAN COURT: FOUCAULTIAN PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Michel Foucault (1926-1984) when analyzing Plato's Apology of Socrates dialogue states that Socrates does not use rhetoric to defend himself against the accusations received in the Athenian court. He makes no use of a speech aimed at the adulation of the jury by commotion and pity. According to Foucault (2009), the philosopher makes use of frank speech (parresía) and seeks to examine the accusations received in search of the truth and the promotion of justice. Socrates follows his daímon's advice not to prepare a defense speech and practices examining the charges in court. Socrates acts against what was practiced in that space until then, putting his life at risk and being later sentenced to death for poisoning.