Autor: Plato

Buch: Gorgias

Titel: Gorgias

Stichwort: Sokrates als einzig wahrer Politiker in Athen; Gleichnis: Arzt und Koch -> Verteidigungsrede vor Kindern

Kurzinhalt: I'm the only genuine practitioner of politics in Athens today ... How do you think a doctor would defend himself if he were up before that kind of court? The prosecutor would argue, 'Children, ...

Textausschnitt: Socrates: I'd really have to be a fool, Callicles, to believe that here in Athens anyone is immune to anything. One thing I'm sure of, though, is that if I do get taken to court and run any of the risks you're talking about, it'll be a bad person who's taken me (521d) there, since no good person could take an innocent man to court. And it's quite possible that I'd be put to death. Shall I tell you why I think so?

Callicles: Yes, please. (Fs)

Socrates: There may be one or two others, but I think I'm the only genuine practitioner of politics in Athens today, the only example of a true statesman.1 So because moral improvement rather than gratification and pleasure is always the reason for my saying anything, and because I refuse to take the subtle (521e) route2 you're recommending, I'll be tongue-tied in court. The argument I used before, when I was talking to Polus3, is relevant to the situation I'll be in. My trial will be equivalent to a doctor being prosecuted by a cook before a jury of young children. How do you think a doctor would defend himself if he were up before that kind of court? The prosecutor would argue, 'Children, the defendant has committed numerous crimes against your honoured selves. He has ruined the youngest among you4 with his surgery and cautery and baffled them with compresses and nauseants; he gives them harsh potions and forces (522a) them to go without food and drink. He's not like me: I'm constantly giving you all kinds of delicious treats.' In these dire straits, what do you think a doctor could find to say? What do you suppose would happen if he told the truth and said, 'All my actions, children, have been prompted by a concern for health.' Can you imagine the hue and cry our jurors would raise at that? It would be enormous, wouldn't it? (Fs; 127f) (notabene)
Callicles: I suppose so. (Fs)
Socrates: Of course it would. And don't you think he'd (522b) be completely stuck for words?
Callicles: Yes. (Fs)
Socrates: Well, that's an analogy for what will certainly happen to me