Part 4/9:
The influence of "Apology" extends far beyond its pages; ancient philosophers were deeply familiar with its teachings. It is a cultural touchstone, providing insights not only into Socratic thought but into how these ideas were received and built upon throughout history. For example, Stoic philosophers like Epictetus later referenced Socrates to illustrate the principle that much of human distress arises from our perceptions rather than external events. This thread of thought links Socratic philosophy to later developments in psychological theories of cognition and behavior.