I. Charges of the first (or early) accusers: They accuse Socrates of committing an injustice, in that he inquires into things below the earth and in the sky, and makes the weaker argument the stronger, and teaches others to follow his example
A. Who are these “first accusers”? (1) unnamed persons who have gossiped about him and (2) The playwright Aristophanes, who was actually a friend/acquaintance of Socrates and a satirist who satirized or ridiculed many notable Athenian citizens.
B. What is the first charge of the first accusers? Studying things in the sky and below the earth
1. What is Socrates’ response to the first charge of the first accusers? He asks if anyone can remember a time where he has spoken these false accusations to anyone in the town of Athens. He then goes on to say that he has never done such things
C. What is the second charge of the first accusers? They accuse him of making the worse argument into the stronger argument
1. What is Socrates’ response to the second charge of the first accusers? That this is false and they only accuse Socrates of this because he is more wise according to the Oracle
D. What is the third charge of the first accusers? Thy say he teaches all these things to others and charges them for it
1. What is Socrates’ response to the third charge of the first accusers? He says that he does indeed speak words of wisdom to the young but has never once charged any of them to hear him speak. He also states that he may have talked to all these people but never has he once mentioned anything he is being charged of. He says that no one knows anything about him or what he does
E. Why have these charges been made against Socrates by the first accusers? Because he claims he is a wise man and they accused him because they don’t like that he is wiser than them
II. Charges of the later (or present) accusers
A. Who are these “later accusers”? Meletus, Anytus and