Final answer:
Socrates's claim about defending the audience highlights his belief that his philosophical inquiries, though the basis for his accusation, served the greater good of society. He viewed his role as one of helping others to find truth and virtue, thus improving the state as a whole. Ultimately, his defense was a robust endorsement of his lifelong commitment to philosophy and the ethical implications of seeking wisdom.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Socrates claimed, 'far from defending myself, I'm actually defending YOU', he was articulating his belief that his role as a philosopher was not just a personal pursuit but a societal service. The true 'crimes' he was accused of, corrupting the youth and failing to recognize the official gods of Athens, essentially stemmed from his provocative way of questioning and examining life — a method later coined as the Socratic method. This method was not designed to subvert but to seek truth and wisdom while exposing ignorance and fostering critical thinking.
Socrates saw himself as a philosophical midwife, aiding others in giving birth to their own understanding. This process was not only to the benefit of the individuals engaged in dialogue with him but also to the Athenian society as a whole. By challenging presumptions and encouraging the youth to care for their soul's virtue above material gains, he was trying to improve the moral fabric of the city.
His defense was, thus, not just a rebuttal to the charges against him personally, but a defense of the way of life he represented — a life devoted to virtue and the pursuit of philosophical truth. Socrates stood firm in his belief that acting according to what he thought to be right was more important than acquiescing to the demands of those who misunderstood the purpose of his inquiries.