The Apology: A Man Who Really Fights For Justice Must Lead A Private, Not A Public Life

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“A man who really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public life”

The first thing that this paper will do is to provide an outline for the argument in the Apology in which Socrates concludes “a man who really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public, life” (Apology, 32a1-2; p. 36). It will then explain the distinction between a private and public life that Socrates makes in the Apology. Next it will outline the different arguments that Socrates presents in support of his explanation that in order for him to fight for justice he must lead a private rather than a public life. Then it will discuss the article, “Socrates and Vietnam” by Gregory Vlastos and compare his conclusions to the deduction made by Socrates. Finally this paper will end with the argument that agrees with what Socrates believed about a man needing to live a private life in search of justice.

Before understanding how a man must act in order to be just, it is essential to understand the difference between what Socrates means by a public and private life. A public life is one that is concerned with the issues that concern “the state.” This is a life that is not godly because it primarily deals with earthly interests such as the assembly and the political arena. Socrates tells how he has always tried to avoid this life even if his actions have not helped his beloved city. In order to be just, one must live a private life according to Socrates. In a private life one is only concerned with justice and piety, self-examination and thought. Wealth and rank are of no consequence. Socrates states, “if I had long ago attempted to take part in politics, I should have died long ago, and benefited neither you nor myself” (A, 31d5-6; p. 36). It is only in a private life that the greatest issues can be discussed and examined--“the life which is unexamined is not worth living” (Apology, 38a5-6; p. 41) By believing in a pr...