Language Use in the Public Sphere: Methodological Perspectives and Empirical Applications. Edited by InésOlza, ÓscarLoureda, and ManuelCasado-Velarde. Pp. 564, Bern/Oxford, Peter Lang (original) (raw)

The Truth Alone Will Suffice: Traces of Spoken Language in Plato's Apology of Socrates

Scripta Classica Israelica, 2018

With the help of a theoretical framework proceeding from the study of the distinction between oral and written discourse in modern languages, this paper approaches some linguistic phenomena present in the Apology of Socrates — anacolutha, discourse markers, repetitions, enumerations, etc. — as traces of spoken language, consciously placed by Plato in his literary recreation of his master’s oration. Thus, the claim made by Socrates at the beginning of the speech, that he has not prepared beforehand his defence, finds support in those stylistic marks, which contribute to enhancing the sense of spontaneity of his words.

Socrates the Gadfly: A Response to Marshall and the Cambridge Greek Lexicon (Penultimate Draft)

Classical Quarterly, 2025

This article responds to Laura A. Marshall’s argument that Socrates does not compare himself to a gadfly in Plato’s Apology but rather to a spur on the side of a horse directed by Apollo. In revisiting the evidence for the canonical reading, this article argues that ‘gadfly’ or some other irritant insect is the only plausible translation for μύωψ in the Apology. Scrutinizing the source of the contemporary notion of the Western philosopher is pressingly important—not only for its own sake, but because the ‘spur reading’ has made its way into public circles and even the Cambridge Greek Lexicon. (Accepted 2024)

The Failed (?) Rhetoric of Socrates: Identification, Non-conformity, and Subtle Criticism of the Court in Plato's Apology of Socrates

Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts 2024, 11: 1-11, 2024

This paper explores Socrates' rhetoric in Plato's Apology using Social Identity Theory and Burke's concept of identification. While rhetoric often relies on connecting with the audience through shared identity, Socrates took a different approach. Instead of conforming to the popular norms and beliefs of the Athenian court, he stayed true to his own values, principles, and divine mission. As a nonconformist, Socrates stood apart from the majority, criticising the Athenian courts in the process, but still established himself as the ideal philosopher, promoting a lasting, virtue-based identity that has inspired followers for generations.

Dangerous Voices: On Written and Spoken Discourse in Plato’s Protagoras

Plato’s Protagoras, 2016

Plato's Protagoras contains, among other things, 1 three short but puzzling remarks on the media of philosophy. First, at 328e5-329b1, Plato makes Socrates worry that long speeches, just like books, are deceptive, because they operate in a discursive mode void of questions and answers. Second, at 347c3-348a2, Socrates argues that discussion of poetry is a presumptuous affair, because, the poems' message, just like the message of any written text, cannot be properly examined if the author is not present. Third, at 360e6-361d6, it becomes clear that even if the conversation between Socrates and Protagoras was conducted by means of short questions and answers, this spoken mode of discourse is problematic too, because it ended up distracting the inquiry from its proper course. As this paper 2 sets out to argue, Plato does not only make Socrates articulate these worries to exhibit the hazards of discursive commodifi cation. In line with Socrates' warning to the young Hippocrates of the dangers of sophistic rhetoric, and the sophists' practice of trading in teachings, they are also meant to problematize the thin line between philosophical and sophistical practice. By examining these worries in the light of how the three relevant modes of discourse are exemplifi ed in the dialogue, this paper aims to isolate and clarify the reasons behind them in terms of deceit, presumptuousness and dis-1 Nowadays, is often thought that the Protagoras ' should be understood in the light of its "negative dialectic" and Socrates' attempt to refute whatever Protagoras is taken to represent.