...In this paper I will recapitulate and analyze the arguments made in Crito by Socrates, Crito, and the Laws of Athens in order to determine which is the most successful. I will also provide my own objection to the some of the arguments to provide insight into possible errors in the given standpoints. In Crito, Socrates is being kept in jail in anticipation of his execution for crimes he did not commit. His friend Crito visits Socrates and explains he should take the chance to escape while it is still available. Crito’s primary argument is that Socrates will be dead in a few days if he does not escape, and living at all is better than being dead. The strongest reasoning against Socrates escaping is provided by Socrates with respect to the laws...
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...At the beginning of Crito, Athens has just condemned Socrates to death, and he is calmly sleeping in his cell when his friend Crito arrives. Crito informs Socrates that he and his friends have a plan to break Socrates out of prison and shuttle him to safety! Except strangely, Socrates wants no part in this daring plot. An argument ensues. Crito obviously cannot understand why Socrates would want to stay and die. Crito pleads with Socrates, telling him that he doesn't want to lose a friend, and that people will think he let Socrates down if they don't escape. Socrates quickly puts that argument down, saying that it's stupid to obey the whims of public opinion. But then Crito says that given Socrates’ current predicament, it would seem that a lack of public favor can be dangerous. Socrates jumps at this comment,...
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...One of the most well known philosophers even to this day is Socrates. Known as the wisest of the philosophers, Socrates made it a living to contradict or play “devil’s advocate” to anyone who claimed to have wisdom. Eventually, Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock poisoning for “corrupting the youth.” Socrates then comes back with a famous line, “To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know.” However, before Socrates was put to death, a young man by the name of Crito gave him the chance to escape and save himself. But Socrates refused to leave. In this paper I will be examining Socrates’s argument of why it would be unjust for him to leave Athens and escape...
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...Philosophy T-TH 11:00 The dialogue of the “Crito” is one of the last works done by Plato, a student of Socrates, about Socrates’ final time in jail before he faces his sentence of death from the city of Athens. Crito is trying to persuade Socrates on why he should escape the prison he was falsely put in. throughout all of his pleas for Socrates to escape; Socrates does not fulfill Crito’s wishes. Instead he has a discussion with Crito to see if his student can put together a fully logical argument as to why he should escape. Socrates’ love of arguments is what sparks the talk. He tells Crito that if he can manage to persuade him to escape during their argument that he would do so but, if he cannot sway Socrates away from his decision of staying that he cannot would not leave and face his sentence of death. Crito attempts to persuade Socrates by telling him that he was wrongly imprisoned and his sentence was not justified. When he tells him this he says that he therefore does not need be there and it is his duty to escape from that prison. Crito is aware that Socrates knows his sentence was not right but he could still not figure out why he would not escape. Socrates then tells Crito, “When one has come to an agreement that is just with someone, should one fulfill it?” Crito agrees without any hesitation, he then knows now even though the sentencing was wrong that Socrates would carry out his agreement with the court. Socrates is a citizen of Athens and will follow the law...
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...Crito and Socrates Joy Woodard PHI103: Informal Logic (GSJ1413B) Instructor: Brian Onishi April 21, 2014 Crito was Socrates’ friend that wanted him to escape out of prison after he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Crito came to visit Socrates in prison and tried to convince him or presented an argument that escaping from prison would be the best thing for him, his friends, and is family. Crito stated that many men would look at him wrong, because he would not pay to get Socrates out of prison. That it would look like Crito valued money more than the friendship that he had with Socrates. Another premise that Crito made was that Socrates would be leaving his children to be orphan, because their father was going to be put to death. Crito showed Socrates support by letting him know that he could to other places and preach his truth because he knew people that would help him out. Crito explained how many people were willing to help financially to help Socrates escape from prison. The premises that Crito used to support his claim of Socrates escaping prison were, he would make his friends look better to the many people on the street, he would be able to care for his children, he would be able to relocate and continue telling his truth, and that he had friends that were willing to help him during this time. Although Socrates may have appreciated the care and concern that Crito demonstrated he did present several counter arguments to Crito’s request. Socrates...
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...Phil 100 Prof. Michael Rosenthal 22 April 2015 Paper 1 Topic 2 Socrates, accused of making the worse into the stronger argument, corrupting the young and not believing in the same Gods the city believes in (24b), was found guilty and sentenced to death. After being sentenced and awaiting his penalty, his friend, Crito, visited Socrates. While awaiting his death, Crito attempted to convince Socrates that he should flee from Athens and escape his death sentence. Why might Crito try to convince Socrates to break the law and escape from Athens? Crito explained to Socrates that if Socrates were to die, not only would Crito be deprived of a friend, but Crito’s reputation would be harmed as well. Crito believed that if he were to allow Socrates to die, people would think that Crito valued money more than his own friends (Socrates dying would indicate that Crito did not spend money in order to save him) (43d). Crito’s concern for his reputation and the thoughts of the majority prompted Socrates to raise a question, “why should we care so much for what the majority think?” (43d). Crito responded by saying it is important to show concern for the opinion of the majority, “…one must also pay attention to the opinion of the majority,” (44d). Crito believed that paying mind to the opinion of the majority is important because “…the majority can inflict not the least but pretty well the greatest evils if one is slandered among them,” (44d). In other words, the majority has the ability...
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...Moral Obligation In the "Crito" written by Plato, the argument of whether or not it is morally right to escape prison is in question. At the beginning of the dialogue, Crito offers Socrates an escape though Socrates has already made up his mind and quickly refuses this opportunity. For Socrates believes that though he may have been convicted for the wrong reasons, the laws are just. In this essay, I will examine both arguments given by Crito and Socrates. Crito does not start with very strong arguments to persuade Socrates. His first argument is that if he does not escape, he will not only lose a close friend, but people will be left to believe that instead of using his money to save Socrates, he selfishly did not help him. For this Crito would lose his reputation and be looked upon in bad light. His second argument is telling Socrates that he would be able to live happily somewhere outside of Athens. He makes it known that he has friends in places such as Thessaly, and that they would ensure his safety and wellbeing. Crito's final argument seems to be his strongest. He calls Socrates a coward and fool. "No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to preserve to the end in their nurture and education" (PUT MARK). Here Crito is feeling as though Socrates is taking the easy way out in not escaping. Betraying not only his own life, but betraying his children's lives. Though all three of these arguments seem valid, none of them seem relevant to whether escaping...
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...Socrates Philosopher Socrates was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, Wikipedia “Personal background” Born: 469 BC, Athens, Greece Died:399 BC, Athens, Greece Full name: Socrates Nationality: Greek Era: Ancient philosophy Region: Western philosophy School: Classical Greek Main interests: Epistemology, ethics Notable idea: SocraticMethod, Socratic irony Influenced: Most subsequent Western philosophy; more specifically, Plato, Aristotle, Aristippus, Antisthenes Spouse:Xanthippe Children:Menexenus, Lamprocles, Sophroniscus Aristotle Philosopher Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great “Personal background” Born: 384 BC Stagira, Chalcidice Died: 322 BC (aged 61 or 62) Euboea Nationality: Greek Era: Ancient philosophy Region: Western philosophy School: Peripatetic schoolAristotelianism Main interests: Physics, Metaphysics, Poetry, Theatre, Music, Rhetoric, Politics, Government, Ethics, Biology, and Zoology Notable ideas: Golden mean, Aristotelian logic, syllogism, hexis, homomorphism, Aristotle's theory of soul Plato Philosopher Plato was a philosopher in Classical Greece. He was also a mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western...
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...Acquittal: On a Supposed Contradiction in Plato’s Apology and Crito Ben Blanks, Lynchburg College (Editor’s note: This essay by Ben Blanks is the winner of the North Award for the best paper in the 2012 Agora. Ben presented an earlier version of this paper at the ACTC Student Conference at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, in March, 2011.) When reading the Apology and the Crito of Plato, one inevitably comes upon a seeming fundamental contradiction between the two dialogues. The Apology presents readers with a defiant Socrates who declares in his trial that, if acquitted on the condition that he never philosophize again, he would continue to practice philosophy in spite of the jury’s order to the contrary: . . . if you said to me in this regard: “Socrates, we do not believe Anytus now; we acquit you, but only on condition that you spend no more time on this investigation and do not practice philosophy, and if you are caught doing so you will die”; if, as I say, you were to acquit me on those terms, I would say to you: “Men of Athens, I am grateful and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy . . . (29c-d).1 The passage from the Apology seems to present a defiant argument for civil disobedience in the face of injustice. In the Crito, however, when given a chance to escape prison and his upcoming execution, Socrates reasons that such an action would be unjust because it...
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...Crito The father of our country, Thomas Jefferson, once said “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government is the result of too much government.” (Government Involvement in the American Economy) Throughout the course of history we have seen the government drastically change and become more and more involved in the personal lives of the American public. In the story “Crito”, a dialogue written by Plato, he tells of the last days of Socrates. The issue arises as to what laws one should keep, and why. Socrates stands wrongly accused and facing a punishment of death while dear friend Crito tries desperately to convince Socrates to flee. There is every opportunity for Socrates to give in to Crito and save himself yet he will not; why? So many of us believe in free will, the ability to make our own choices without any outside limitations or constraints imposed upon us; however, I believe there is no such service as is depicted in the story of “Crito.” I have no doubt in my mind that if any of us knew we were wrongly accused, facing death, and were given the opportunity to live, we wouldn’t hesitate to take back our freedom. However, Socrates discusses with Crito all the reasons that he cannot abandon his punishment, and must sleep in the bed he made. These reasons will give rise to the argument that the decision he is making, to sacrifice himself, is not free from outside influence of any kind, therefore, his decision is not of his own free will. In paragraph 26...
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...Law In The Trial and Death of Socrates, there are multiple places in the text where Socrates could be seen as being contradicting in what he is saying. This happens particularly in the Apology where Socrates discusses how important it is to do as the gods say. This is the reason why he continued studying philosophy despite being commanded otherwise by the laws. Then in Crito, he states that it is important to follow the laws of Athens no matter what they tell you to do. This contradicts his previous statements because by following his philosophical mission, Socrates is breaking the law. During his trial in the Apology, Socrates states to the jury how much he believes in doing as the gods say which is his reasoning for being on this philosophical mission. As Socrates is speaking to the jury he tells them that if given the choice between freedom and continuing his philosophical mission he would always choose the mission. "If you said to me in this regard: 'Socrates, we do not believe Anytus now ; we acquit you, but only on the condition that you spend no more time on this investigation and do not practice philosophy, and if you are caught doing so you will die , if , as I say , you were to acquit me on those terms, I would say to you : "Gentlemen of the jury , I am grateful and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy" (29c-d, Apology) Socrates clearly states in the above text...
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...Michelle Meeks 9/3/2013 PHI1010 Word Count: 460 Socrates In “The Apology” and “The Crito” Socrates argues about the importance and value of one’s self. He talks of how the greatest benefit is to be “as good and as wise as possible” and that no outcome, even death, would be more detrimental to the soul than betraying one’s own philosophy. In “The Apology,” Socrates argues that to be a good man you must be honest and put yourself before others. He states to the jury that “perhaps you think that I was convicted for lack of such words as might have convinced you. I was convicted because I lack not words but boldness and shamelessness and the willingness to say to you what you would most gladly have heard from me.” Socrates is arguing that although he could lie to the jury in order to escape his fate, to lie is “unworthy” of him. Socrates defends his argument by saying “I would much rather die after this kind of defense than live after making the other kind.” Socrates justifies that to lie his way out of death would be dishonest and to be dishonest is not something a good man would do. In “The Crito,” Socrates refuses the opportunity to escape because he believes that “the really important thing is not to live, but to live well.” Socrates examines Crito’s plan of escape and builds the ultimate argument. Socrates begins by stating that an agreement should be fulfilled. He follows by stating that laws speak the truth and to leave without the city’s permission is not fulfilling...
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...Socrates Paper The goal of this paper is to discern and construct the world views of Socrates through the various readings, lectures and videos that we have seen in class. Some of these sources include: Socrates by G. Rudebusch; excerpts from The Last Days of Socrates by Plato; and The Allegory of a Cave. Of the nine world views covered in class, I will delve into my interpretation of four of them as seen through the various sources that we have been exposed to in class. These four world views will include Death, Condition, Solution and Morality. Finally, I will use my understanding of the world *views assessment to critique Socrates’ view of morality. Death The first and most obvious worldview that I wanted to cover is Socrates’ view of death. That is, what really happens to us when we die? This was such an evident topic to me because throughout a majority of our readings, Socrates was being faced with death, so what better time to discuss one’s thoughts for what is to come in the afterlife than when they are staring death in the face. Socrates first brings to light his view of death in the Apology when he states, “Death is one of two things. Either it is annihilation, and the dead have no consciousness of anything; or, as we are told, it is really a change: a migration of the soul from this place to another.” (Apology 40c). At this point, Socrates does not give any definitive answer as to whether death is annihilation or the migration of the soul; rather, he argues that...
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...The Crito and the Letter from Birmingham Jail exemplify the complex nature of the obligation of the citizen. Although both pieces discuss the obligation of the citizen and seem rather similar on paper, both are inherently different. The Crito takes a more literal approach while the letter from Birmingham jail takes a more figurative stance. The Crito is a dialogue that takes place in Socrates’ prison cell as he awaits his execution. Socrates was wrongfully accused for “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new deities”. The dialogue begins as Crito, one of socrates’ good friends, enters the jail cell to let Socrates know that he has devised a plan to smuggle him out of prison. Crito tries to reason in saying that Socrates’s death will reflect poorly amongst his friends and peers image, and that Socrates shouldn’t worry about the risk or financial burden that is put on to those who are helping him. Crito would then...
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...courage or piety) fit in to the overall definition of doing good and living by the correct moral standards. The dialogues of the Apology and the Crito deal with the trial and sentencing of Socrates, facilitating a discussion about an individual's morality in abiding by the law. Socrates does show us that civil law should be treated as a moral obligation, by proving that to ignore the rule of law would be to commit moral wrong. He then qualifies this by illustrating that lawfulness is not always equal to virtuousness, and explaining how to remain virtuous without damaging the authority of the law. Further examination of his arguments in regards to civil disobedience reveal inconsistency and the necessity for further development. SOCRATES' MORAL OBLIGATION TO CIVIL LAW In the Crito, Socrates gives an explanation about why he must remain in his jail cell and accept his sentence by using moral reasoning. The most important facet in his argument is the claim (which the interlocutor Crito quickly agrees to) that it is never justified to do evil. No matter what has been suffered before, no matter what good comes of it, doing wrong is unacceptable to Socrates any way you put it. He clearly states the underlying principle for the rest of his argument will be that "neither injury nor retaliation nor warding off evil by evil is ever right" (Crito 49d/e). After making this statement, the next step is to use it to demonstrate that there is a moral obligation to obey civil law...
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