Parody and the Argument from Probability in the Apology

Abstract

Over a century ago James Riddell pointed out that Socrates' de- fense speech in die Apology closely followed standard form of Athenian forensic rhetoric. He called Apology artistic to core, and he identified parts of the subde of this defense.1 Since then many scholars have explicated rhetorical elements in Socrates' defense.2 Their work has led in turn to recent attempts to integrate rhetorical form into an overall understanding of meaning and sig- nificance of Apology? The puzzle to be solved is what to make of fact that Socrates disclaims ability and intention to use in a speech which is itself a rhetorical masterpiece. R. E. Allen raises possibilitythatbyusingthe techniques ofrhetoric and at same time denying that he is using them Socrates is dissem- bling or lying. However, Allen rejects this possibility and interprets Socrates' falsehood as only a surface or apparent falsehood. According to Allen it is ironic parody of a disreputable which seeks to convince without concern for truth.4 For Allen object of parody is base in general, type of denounced by Socrates in Gorgias as rhetoric aiming at gratification and pleasure, and indifferent to truth and good of soul.5 Two subsequent articles, one by Kenneth Seeskin, other by Douglas Feaver andJohn Hare, support view that Socrates is parodying debased form of rhetoric. However, they place somewhatdifferentemphasis on exact object of parody. They argue that object of Socrates' rhetorical parody is Pahmedes, ratherthan panderingrhetoricin general.6 After summarizing many rhetorical similarities between Palamedesand Socrates' defense speech, Seeskinconcludes that Gorgias'