The Apology is a dialogue that at first blush seems to separate Socrates from the sophists with ease. After all, he denies that he is a teacher, while the sophists claim to teach. Socrates says that he teaches neither natural science nor excellence (aretê); although he has followers, he does not take any payment from them (19d–e). Certainly, these elements separate Socrates from the sophists. However, the Apology's account of the differences between philosophy and sophistry – particularly between philosophical and sophistical rhetoric – is far more nuanced, for Socrates uses common forensic topoi in his speech, seemingly giving credence to the prosecution's insinuation that he is a “clever speaker” (deinou ontos legein) (17b). Moreover, as I argue herein, Plato's own rhetoric as the author of the dialogue follows closely in the footsteps of his sophistic predecessors. In particular, several elements of Plato's Apology closely mimic Gorgias' Defense of Palamades.

In this chapter, I examine how Plato as the author of the Apology uses elements reminiscent of the sophists in order to separate Socrates from them. While philosophical rhetoric bears many superficial similarities to sophistic rhetoric, it has a distinctive set of aims. My discussion of the differences between Socratic and forensic rhetoric falls into three main areas. First, Socrates' questions are aimed at making those whom he questions more virtuous.