Socrates and His Escape Each one of us has been accused of some kind of act at some point in our lives. Yet those accusations have been terribly mistaken and sometimes there is so little that a person can do to fix that. In this case we are talking about the wonderful philosophist Socrates, a person of many beliefs and ideas. He was a man who dearly believed in justice and doing justice to others. We will examine Socrates' way of thinking and his rationality towards a healthy and logical mind. After reading the Meno, Apology, and Crito I have come to a conclusion that Socrates made the right decision by rejecting Crito's offer of escape and the reasoning behind that will be explained by providing parts of the dialogues and the ideas behind them. About the year of 470 B.C, a man was born in Athens and his name was Socrates. He was a son of a working sculptor and a midwife. Socrates lived in the greatest and most exciting period of his country's history, when Athens developed from a mere city-state to be the head of an empire. He studied problems of Physics, Biology, and other sciences, and learned the art of making the worse argument appear the better. He could easily be involved in public decisions but he did not enjoy politics so he stuck to his interests and life that consisted the qualities of a thinker. He would constantly be thinking about the "ordinary man" and the interests of an "ordinary man". He had many companions, men of all ages and from all parts of the Greek world. This already tells us that he is very pre-occupied with how other people's minds worked and if he could figure out how to teach them rational thinking. Easily most of his ideas would come from talking to other people ... ... middle of paper ... ...stion he was going to be put - 9 - to death and this was the path he chose. He once stated that " If an action is unjust, it should be avoided even if it causes some undesirable side effects. " The reason I refer to this quote is because I think Socrates was trying to say that he must not attempt an escape although an execution was already awaiting for him. - 10 - Bibliography: References: Smith, D. N., & Brickhouse C. T. (1989). Socrates On Trial. Princeton New Jersey: Princeton University Press Livingstone, R. W. (1979) Portrait of Socrates. Oxford: Oxford Clarendon Press Internet: Socrates/Crito ( 1998, February 18) Notes/phil271 ( 1997, March )
It takes one person to begin expanding a thought, eventually dilating over a city, gaining power through perceived power. This is why Socrates would be able to eventually benefit everyone, those indifferent to philosophy, criminals, and even those who do not like him. Socrates, through his knowledge of self, was able to understand others. He was emotionally intelligent, and this enabled him to live as a “gadfly,” speaking out of curiosity and asking honest questions. For someone who possesses this emotional intelligence, a conversation with Socrates should not have been an issue-people such as Crito, Nicostratus, and Plato who he calls out during his speech. (37) The problem is that many of the citizens of Athens who wanted Socrates dead, lacked that emotional intelligence and thought highly of themselves. So of course they become defensive when Socrates sheds light on the idea that they may be wrong. As someone who cared most about the improvement of the soul, Socrates would have made a constructive role model to the criminals of Athens, as he would go on saying, “virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man…”(35) Socrates was able to benefit everyone alike as he had human wisdom- something that all the Athenians could relate
Crito was persuaded by the Laws to give up because Socrates’ escape may firstly, destroy the Laws and by extension Athens; secondly, be an unjust act of retaliation against a punishment his benefactor prescribed; thirdly, result in Socrates violating his social contract with the Laws; and finally, intervene with the execution of an impartially prescribed punishment. Thus, assisting Socrates’ escape commits an injustice against the Laws.
Socrates reaches a conclusion that defies a common-sense understanding of justice. Nothing about his death sentence “seems” just, but after further consideration, we find that his escape would be as fruitless as his death, and that in some sense, Socrates owes his obedience to whatever orders Athens gives him since he has benefited from his citizenship.
Plato was the author of the Apology of Socrates, which was one of the four major works of ancient Greek literature. Though the title was the Apology of Socrates, the text referred to the defense speeches of Socrates against the Athenian council. At the end, Socrates was found to be guilty and was sentenced to death. However, the Athenian council was not acting justly because Socrates did nothing wrong as he had successfully developed a reasonable logic against the charges. I will address this notion through the analysis of the arguments and the logic that Socrates used to conduct his defense.
Contrary to this widely accepted myth, I will try to demonstrate that Socrates' argument was erroneous, which made his decision less rational. In fact, had he decided to escape, his behavior would not have represented an unjust act. Although his argumentation and dialogue with Crito seem more like a moral sermon, his ...
Socrates acts in a manner different from other teachers and thinkers. He is “the kind of man who listens to nothing within [himself] but the argument that on reflection seems the best to [him]” (Plato, The Crito, §46b). If the defendant himself advocates for listening to all arguments and reflecting within himself to determine which is the best, how can one say he knowingly corrupts and undermines the democracy? In questioning and advocating for reflection, these questions do not lead his listeners to corruption, but rather allow them to reach their own conclusions. Socrates does not speak against the democracy. He simply encourages examination rather than passive acceptance of its practices. Well founded beliefs and knowledge of the democracy are essential to its longevity and effectiveness. By encouraging citizens to identify the basis of their faith in the democracy, Socrates acts with the intention of strengthening not only the beliefs of the citizens, but the democracy itself. In the case of the trial of “ten generals who had failed to pick up the survivors of the naval battle”(Plato, The Apology, §32b), Socrates alone stood as staunch opposition when the generals were tried as a body. Though the majority overruled
By maintaining a harmony between what is right and the expression of a person’s own opinion he has made possible the ultimate truth, the belief in what has worked and staying within the boundaries of decent and god-fearing society. The laws of the society in which Socrates lived condemned him to die for his own conviction and the reasons for Socrates to remain and accept the punishments of that society have proved to be wise and justified.
In conclusion, I believe that it is blaspheme that Socrates is accused of corrupting Athenian’s children’s mind. He should not have received the death penalty, but I do understand it was by preference. I think that Socrates let his opinions get in the way of clear judgment when Crito tried to help him escape. However, I do realize why Socrates did not want to escape. Socrates made valid points by declaring that he does not believe in vengeances, disbeliefs in public opinions, and the personification of the Athenian government being seen as a father figure; as well as, not wanting to exile from his homeland. Although, these moral values were instilled in his mind he still could have chosen banishment instead to save his life to continue educating people. Therefore, even though Socrates is not physically alive, his philosophy continues.
n the Crito, a variety of unfortunate events occur to Socrates; he becomes imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, being framed falsely. While awaiting his execution due to injustice a dear friend of Socrates, Crito, has arranged for his escape. While confined, Socrates has a conversation with Crito, that in order to avoid being executed for unjust reasons he must escape that night. Socrates refuses to take Crito’s advice of escaping from prison and escaping his dying fate. Socrates was always a man who believe there was no such thing as a “coincidence”, that it was all part of fate; that everything that happens, is for a reason… Thus, sees his imprisonment as part of his destiny. Time passes by, and he has now been in prison for about a month, due to the fact that no execution of a criminal could be done until a certain ship shall arrive on its return from the island of Delos. If this ship does not return from the island, Socrates could
During this essay the trail of Socrates found in the Apology of Plato will be reviewed. What will be looked at during this review is how well Socrates rebuts the charges made against him. We will also talk about if Socrates made the right decision to not escape prison with Crito. Socrates was a very intelligent man; this is why this review is so critical.
Some of the best sources of information about Socrates' philosophical views are the early dialogues of his student Plato, who tried to provide a faithful picture of the methods and teachings of the great master. The Apology is one of the many-recorded dialogues about Socrates. It is about how Socrates was arrested and charged with corrupting the youth, believing in no god(s) (Atheism) and for being a Sophist. He attended his trial and put up a good argument. I believe that Socrates was wrongfully accused and should not have been sentenced to death. Within the duration of this document, I will be discussing the charges laid against Socrates and how he attempted to refute the charges.
them, he wouldn’t contradict his teaching by doing wrong. Even though Socrates wasn’t perfect, he would always make a conscious effort to do right. Breaking out of jail would be blatantly wrong, and he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
In the “Crito,” Socrates chooses not to escape prison because he has chosen a standard for justice. He argues that the system itself which prosecuted him was not unjust. Although the verdict was wrong and he was charged with something he didn’t do, his belief was that the trial in itself was not corrupt and held justly and fairly, the legal process was procedurally just and fair, even if it was the wrong sentence. He chooses to stay in jail and accept his sentence, as he puts it “And, so one should not repay an injustice with an injustice, as the many think, since one should never act unjustly.”(Plato) Socrates is following an objective truth, not his philosophy, but a philosophy that follows truth and justice. Had Crito managed to argue reasonably against the form of “Justice” that Socrates followed, he would have been quick to bribe the guard and leave Athens before dawn. Socrates ultimately argues for the reality of Justice, and as long as the laws of the land cohered to that reality, he too would abide to these laws. Socrates admirably argues for the idea of Justice, and given no counter argument by Crito, he chooses to stay in jail and face death. He surrenders himself to the values that he chose to uphold and allows the “river of life” to finally take him over the edge to face death with courage and an undeniable authenticity to who he chose to
Who, was also in pursuit of truth. A few, one of them being Meletus, disagreed he was a good citizen. Socrates was persecuted and accused of corrupting the youth, and of impiety. He was then sent to prison to await his execution. Crito, his friend, went the day after to visit and admired how unflustered Socrates seemed to be under the unfortunate circumstances. Crito then explains his plans on how he could escape prison, and presents many arguments to try to persuade Socrates on why he should flee. One of Crito’s thoughts regarding this matter was that Socrates' death would reflect negatively on him and his friends, because people could think they did nothing to try to save him. Socrates then conveys to Crito that other’s opinion should not matter. However, Socrates expressed he would go with Crito, if it is just, but if it is unjust he must stay in prison and face
When Socrates was brought to trial for the corruption of the city’s youth he knew he had done nothing wrong. He had lived his life as it should be lead, and did what he ne...