In Plato’s dialogue “Apology,” Socrates has been brought to trial for denying the gods of the state and corrupting the youth. Socrates defends himself, in part, by pointing out that he has provided a great service to Athens. What does Socrates mean when he claims that he is a gadfly? Do you think Socrates is providing an important service? Is examining one’s life as crucial as Socrates claims? Is examining society similarly important? Why or why not?
How it should be written:
This paper should be 5 pages double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman font.
No outside sources are needed for this paper. You must cite your primary source(s). Quotations should be short and cited. Again, please do not saturate your paper with quotations. You must use Stephanus Numbers when citing Plato – an explanation of how they work can be found in the Plato lecture slides.
You may use whichever citation method you prefer, provided that you are consistent.
Additional Info:
An “A” paper should fulfill the assignment requirements and be without any significant errors. Be as clear and concise as possible. Imagine your audience is a 10 year old kid with a great vocabulary, explain the argument and how it works fully in a way that would make sense to them.
Lower Grades will be earned if: the paper fails to fulfill the assignment, the paper in unclear or vague in places, the paper is saturated with quotations, the paper is formatted incorrectly, or if the paper contains significant (grammar and spelling) errors.
If the paper is late. Your grade will be lowered one letter grade for each day it is late.
