...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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...Reasons for Socrates to Resist the Death Penalty: Name: Course: Date: Introduction: Socrates was a well renowned Athenian philosopher many years before his trial. He is actually considered a great founder in western philosophy. He was a very distinctive and typical individual with extraordinary teachings. It is believed that his teachings were very different from those of other philosophers in Greece since his ideas differed with the rightful societal beliefs. This resulted to hatred from the people. According to him, a useless life is one that is not examined. He put a lot of emphasis on the obedience of the state likening it to the obedience a son would have for his father. He was common for taking children through lectures of coming up with arguments to justify the reason for beating his father. Socrates was later accused of corrupting youth groups and godlessness. He was then convicted to death by taking poison which he obeyed as a way of following his teaching on obedience to the law. If Confucius would have believed in a life after death, he would probably have agreed with Socrates to have the law obeyed and kill himself. Socrates, in his day of execution explains that soul is the main form of an individual. Soul does not die and is eternal and does not change. Just the same way it brings life, so must it not die despite the death of the body. Soul is therefore termed as immortal. He feels that dying does not destroy who he really is since in real sense, he will not be dead...
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...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 prison is right or wrong. Socrates dismisses Critos arguments, for the opinions of many do not matter in...
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...Liao PHIL 2010 TR11 33835 Plato, Defense of Socrates The Defense of Socrates, written by Plato in the year of 400a.c, narrates how Socrates defended in a court of charges of different men. He is accused of corrupting the youth mind and not believing in the god of the state, but in other new divinities. His accusers are Meletus, Anytus and Lycon. Throughout this first part, Socrates explains his innocence through various examples given during his apology. During his defense speech, Socrates insists that he clearly speaks the truth. For him, the truth is a virtue of wisdom, and there is no effect without cause. Therefore, according to him, every effect has its own cause. According to Socrates, his bad reputation is due to the wisdom he possesses. Their god assured him that there was a wiser man than he worldwide. That bad name originated because Socrates was put to test people believed wise, without actually being, and letting them know their true image of ignorance. Socrates explained to the judges that he had no knowledge of any kind with respect to cosmological issues. Instead, it was considered wiser than those who boasted of it, because he recognized their ignorance to know the issues, that is, cosmological, which did not confess presumptuous. Socrates denies that he has corrupted the youth. Notes that according Meletus, he corrupts the youth, who then Meletus explain the reason why people enjoy watching Socrates interrogates those who believe without being wise...
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...Corc. 1110: Classical cultures Socrates’ death Socrates is brought to trial because he is being accused from three different charges. According to his accusers, he made the worst arguments the stronger, he was wrong to believe in others gods than the ones from Athens, he corrupted the youth of Athens. Even though he proved that none of these accusations were true and that should not be convicted from any charges, he was tried and sentenced to death. However, Socrates resigned his sentence because he believed in the laws of Athens ,the will of the gods, spirits and in the immorality of his soul. Socrates during his conversation with Crito, who is trying to convince Socrates to escape into exile instead of staying at prison waiting for his day of death, explains the obligations that citizen have to the state. He says that one must respect the state into one is born and do what it demands to do as if it is their own parents because the state acts as a parent when it gives a place to grow up, live, protection and education . So, one “must either persuade it or obey its orders, and endure in silence whatever It instructs you to endure, whether blows or bonds, and if it leads you into war to be wounded or killed you must obey”( Plato, 51-b). One cannot break a law because it will hurt the state then it will show that the law has some weakness and that the government has no type of power over it. The city of Athens also...
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...Anna Lin Exam 1 6/18/14 Socrates’ Courageousness Socrates should not be classified as a Sophist for many reasons. He did not take money from those whom he spoke to; sophists did not care if their conclusions were true, yet Socrates used his ways of dialectic to try to find the absolute truths and he tries to proof to people that the immortal soul exists that is why he does not fear death. Socrates tries to let people know that there is life after death by proving himself right; he is not afraid of death. For instance, “Socrates claims that the death is nothing more than the separation of the soul from the body and although some group of people denies it, the soul is immortal considering the cycle of life and death, the theory of recollection and the affinity argument” (Makaleler). Makaleler tells the audience that Socrates is so certain that the soul is immortal. He also says death is just the soul leaving the body, yet many people don’t believe what he says. People denies Socrates’ way of thinking is mainly because they are scared of changes, they fear the unknown of what exactly will happen to them when the soul leaves the body. This is a good example of why Socrates is not a sophist because if he was a sophist he would have collected money then tell people what they want to hear, as this quotes states people do not believe in him. Socrates is not trying to please anyone to get money, he is just stating what the divine voice had told him. Again, “The soul can be...
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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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...and to die, but how do you know that the soul is a soul that already existed? How do you know that the soul isn't obliterated when you die and that a new soul is born with a new body? In Phaedo Plato uses dialogue to explore all these ideas,which are formed through reasoning. All that he thinks is not told explicitly but discovered by questioning and use of the intellect. In the exact way that he describes, the question is not asked, what do you see, its always what do you think. The processes of thinking things through leads you to the arguments he presents for the immortality of the soul. Socrates never tells me what to think he only presents ideas and allows the conversation for my own thinking to develop. The process of reading this is in line with the way of life for a philosopher who is seeking truth. Even in his last moments, Socrates is taking time to discuss these ideas with his colleagues. If this is what he is doing before he dies, this is another way he shows me that this is the proper way to live. The body can’t exist without soul but the soul can exist without the soul. The body needs its opposite since it is mortal. But the soul being immortal does not need body to reach beyond itself. This is why Socrates views death in a positive light. He seeks lives in the soul which is done through understanding and the intellect and this is the life of a philosopher. opposites. In the generation of the idea of the opposites you need the idea of "after having been" for...
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...contradicts the prequel. In the Apology, Socrates threatens to disobey a court order to cease philosophizing, among other orders. In the Crito, Socrates obeys the orders of the state and doesn’t break out of prison even though he is facing an execution. One might say “did Socrates lose his edge, did he give up because he was condemned to death?” I say that he was caught in his own hypocritical contradiction. Although many people think Socrates never contradicted himself, both the Apology and the Crito clearly show he did. In the Apology, Socrates contradicts himself by emphasizing the significance of obeying the gods above anything else. In the Apology (29c-d) while defending himself, Socrates states "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" he continues saying “I think there is no greater blessing for the city that my service to the god” (30a). In his defense all Socrates is saying is that he has not committed anything wrong, all he has done is worship the gods and abide by them. Socrates believes that it is far more important...
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...PHI 150 3/11/14 Socrates Paper Socrates is believed to be one of the greatest philosophers of all time and he is credited as being the founder of western philosophy. This paper will explain some of his views to the most fundamental questions of today’s age. These questions will include topics about morality, the human condition, solution, and death. After Socrates’ views on these topics are explained, a critique will be done on his answers. I will start out by explaining exactly who Socrates is, and the time that he lived in. To start out, we will first examine Socrates’ view on morality. There are many questions that could be asked about the topic of morality. Questions like, what are the central moral principles, who is the ideal person, how do you determine right versus wrong. In Socrates’ eyes, I believe that the question of morality comes down to one main question, is it just or unjust? When Socrates was imprisoned facing his death, one of his close friends, Crito, came to him and presented him with an opportunity to escape and he replies to the proposal by saying, “Then in light of this admission we must consider whether or not it is just for me to try and get away without being released by the Athenians. If it turns out to be just, we must make an attempt; if not, we must drop it.” (Crito 48c). Crito then continues to give him reasons why they must escape including how Socrates is endangering the reputation of his friends, how he was put into jail unjustly...
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...Death Over Unrighteousness In Plato’s Apology, Plato documents what occurs during Socrates’ trial, where a philosopher named Socrates was accused for being an evil-doer by simply questioning his surroundings. He defends himself in order to prove that he is innocent. But Socrates’ accusers will not accept any reason other than the one that they provided. Rather than saying that he is wrong, Socrates continues to argue for his righteousness, but then accepts that his accusers will always remain unrighteous. Socrates believes that it is better to die than to live an unrighteousness life. Rather than spending the rest of his life in a prison, Socrates does not see an issue with death, as for all he knows, it can be as equally good...
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...Euthyphro from Plato's Five Dialogues, Socrates discuss with Euthyphro to the question "What is piety?” Euthyphro responded with and answer to Socrates many different definitions of piety but really not one of the answers Socrates likes. For every definition that Socrates gets from Euthyphro, Socrates would have a debate about it. With One of Euthyphro attempt to the definition of piety is "what is dear to the gods is pious, what is not is impious” Although this definition was answered in the way that Socrates wanted it, Socrates still isn’t satisfied that the answer to this definition is true. This ends up with Euthyphro to state, "the pious is what all the gods love, and the opposite, what all the gods hate, is the impious” that is to say that, because pious is loved by all of the gods it is being loved and it is dear to each of the gods. Euthyphro who is certain at this point is very confident that he gave the best statement but is yet again being disagreed by Socrates. Socrates refuses to believe that the "god-beloved” isn’t the exact same as the pious neither is the pious the similar as the god-beloved. Socrates disputes...
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...necessary to go beyond what the questions are asking – remember the quizzes are open for a full two weeks. This allows plenty of time for deep thought and contemplation. Consider the – how, why, where, when , what, etc., Here is a sampling of quiz questions and detailed answers that did receive full credit, and a few examples that did not: |Explain what Socrates means in Plato's "Phaedo" when he says that philosophy is the practice of death. | |Student response: |Philosophy is the practice of the separation of the soul form the body and in that it is like death. | |Score: |[pic] | Notice here how there is no development at all to the answer. The term ‘explain’ indicates much more than a one or two sentence answer. |Student response: |"I want to make my argument before you my judges, as to why I think that a man who has truly spent his life in | | |philosophy is probably right to be of good cheer in the face of death and to be very hopeful that after death he | | |will attain the greatest blessings yonder." These are Socrates famous words to his judges explains a little of what| | |he means by saying philosophy is...
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...In Pluto’s Crito, Crito try’s to persuade Socrates to escape from jail to prevent them from killing him. However, Socrates provides a counter argument to his pleas. Crito presents seven different arguments for Socrates escape from prison. Crito argued that if Socrates does not escape, he would hurt Crito. First, Crito will loose Socrates friendship if he dies. If Socrates dies, people will think that Crito didn’t do anything to help Socrates therefore, the people will look down at Crito because they would be unaware that Socrates chose to stay in jail. They will think that Crito didn’t get him out of jail because he wasn’t willing to spend the money to do it. If this is the case, Crito’s reputation will suffer because everyone will think Crito cares more about the money that is spent for the escape rather than Socrates himself. In Crito’s second argument, he wonders why Socrates would rather stay than face the death penalty. Crito feels that if Socrates fears that his friends will be arrested if he escapes, but he should not have this fear. Socrates friends would risk everything by paying off guards or others that would tell on them, therefore, there won’t be any risk at all. Crito also explains that there are many places for Socrates to go, such as Thebes or Thessaly, where he would be protected. In Crito’s third argument, Crito tells Socrates that he has a responsibility to his sons. Crito goes on to say that Socrates has a responsibility to make sure his children...
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...THESIS STATEMENT Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and sentenced to die for his beliefs. He accepted this punishment because he truly thought what he believed was right. PURPOSE STATEMENT By conducting research and examining various sources, The trail of Socrates proved to be an important part in history, impacting the development of Western Philosophy and allowing the beliefs of Socrates to live on to this day. INTRODUCTION “The death of Socrates has had a huge and almost continuous impact on western culture” (Wilson 1). Socrates life, trial, and death are all important parts of history. Socrates was a philosopher in Athens who believed in using reason to explain different aspects of life. During his lifetime, he not only tried to help develop his own mind and understanding of life, but also those around him. He often tried to teach the adolescence and get them to use their minds. Socrates enjoyed teaching children because their minds were still open and they were willing to learn. However, his views varied from most of other people around him. He was put on trial because others did not care for his methods. He was eventually executed. Socrates had the courage to be different and marked the beginning of Western Philosophy. His trial was one of the first of its kind and it is the first recorded trial in which someone was sentenced to death as a result of their beliefs. “Plato tells us that Socrates compared himself to a gadfly, whose stings...
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