Anapologia (Latin forapology, fromAncient Greek:ἀπολογία,lit. 'speaking in defense') is a formal defense of an opinion, position or action.[1][2] The term's current use, often in the context of religion, theology and philosophy, derives fromJustin Martyr'sFirst Apology (AD 155–157) and was later employed byJohn Henry Newman'sApologia Pro Vita Sua (English:A Defense of One's Own Life) of 1864,[3] which presented a formal defense of the history of his Christian life, leading to his acceptance by the Catholic Church in 1845.[4]
In Ancient Greece, an apologia was primarily used as a legal defense: The accuser would present akategoria, or accusation, and the defendant would present hisapologia, or defense. In modern usage,apologia describes a formal defense of an idea or belief, rather than against a legal charge. In both ancient and modern uses it differs from anapology, or expression of regret.[5] The main difference between the two is that the act of apologizing is meant to express regret, and the purpose of an apologia is to clearly communicate the rational grounds for a belief or position.[5] As an example, a person might apologize for bumping into another person, but could write an apologia to explain why they believe a specific belief is superior to another specific belief.
The Greek philosophersPlato,Isocrates, andAristotle describedapologia as an oratory to defend positions or actions particularly in the sense of alegal defense.
Socrates believed an apology to be a well-thought justification of accusations made.[6] Socrates represents this act of defending oneself inPlato's Apology. Socrates justified the claims made against him by being direct and honest. Socrates' attempts at justification rather than expressing remorse were unsuccessful, demonstrating the complexity in apologies among individuals.[7]
Justin Martyr wrote theFirst Apology (c. AD 155) andSecond Apology to explain the philosophical basis for Christianity and to encourage theRoman EmperorAntoninus Pius and theRoman Senate to stop thepersecution andmartyrdom of early Christians.[8]
The earliest English use ofapologia followed from the Greek sense "a speech in defense". Writing in theRenaissance period,Thomas More wrote hisApologye of Syr Thomas More, Knyght, made by him Anno 1533 after he had geuen over the office of Lord Chancellour of Englande. In this, he explained his actions asLord Chancellor underHenry VIII and denied rumors about his treatment of Protestants.[9]
In 1590, a parallel meaning emerged meaning a "frank expression of regret". This parallel sense associated with "apologizing" for a wrong, progressively became the predominant usage until the 18th century, when the older Latin meaning re-emerged to be recorded in 1784. This became the dominant meaning, owing in a large part to the publication of the influential work,Apologia Pro Vita Sua, in 1865.[3]
John Henry Newman was regarded as a premiere religious figure even before writing his definitive 1864 essay,Apologia Pro Vita Sua (translated as "Apology for One's Own Life" or "A Defense of One's Own Life"). The main subject of the essay was to explain how he, having been raised as anAnglican Christian, had decided to convert toCatholicism.[10] The backdrop for the essay was a heated mid-century theological controversy. Newman and other Anglicans were calling for the Anglican church to return to earlier, more disciplined, traditions and an authoritarian hierarchy. Friction during the years from 1833 to 1841 led Newman and his allies in the Oxford Movement to publish a statement, theTracts for the Times, to which Newman was a contributor. The tensions culminated in Newman's 1845 resignation as Anglican vicar of St. Mary's, Oxford and his departure from the Anglican church seeking to join the Roman Catholic Church.[1][11]
One of Newman's rivals was AnglicanCharles Kingsley of the Broad Church party, who responded to Newman's departure with written attacks impeaching Newman's truthfulness and honor. Newman's response was the flowing, almost poetic prose of theApologia Pro Vita Sua, offering a spiritual autobiographical defense to Kingsley's accusations. The book was ultimately very well received by Anglicans and Catholics and was influential in turning public opinion in favor of Newman. The book became a bestseller that remains in print today. Two years after its publication, Newman was ordained by the Roman Catholics and soon became established as one of the foremost exponents ofCatholicism in England.[1][11]
In the 1970s, Roman Catholic writerMichael Davies wrote a three-volume work entitledApologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, defending theSSPX founder, ArchbishopMarcel Lefebvre. Davies wrote in his introduction to the first volume that the use of the termapologia in the title is used as a "reasoned explanation", rather than literal apology, in the same vein as the early Christian apologists.[12]
Sharon Downey argued in 1993 that apologia has undergone significant changes because its function has changed throughout history.[13] Downey takes on a critical generic approach to the feasibility of apologia.
Halford Ryan advocates thatapologia should be understood as part of a pair withkategoria (κατηγορία), an accusatory speech that motivatesapologia as a defensive response. Ryan argues that these should be treated as a single rhetorical speech set.[14]
Ware and Linkugel (1973) identified four common strategies seen in apologetic discourse, which are denial, bolstering, differentiation, and transcendence.[15]
Theetymology ofapologia (Ancient Greek:ἀπολογία) is derived from the root wordapologos (ἀπόλογος),'a speech in defense',[16] and the corresponding verb formapologeisthai (ἀπολογεῖσθαι),'to speak in one's defense'.[3]
Apologia: A formal written defence of one's opinions or conduct.
apologia: A formal defense or justification.
'from Greek apologia "a speech in defense," from apologeisthai "to speak in one's defense'
Apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. ... Apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.