Socrates was a one of the first philosophers and teachers known to Western philosophy. He lived in Athens Greece from 470 – 399 B.C. and is studied to this day because of his insights and understanding of the way people should live. Towards the end of his life, Socrates was accused of a myriad of crimes including criminal meddling and the corruption of the minds of the young. Eventually, Socrates was found guilty of his crimes and shortly after he was condemned to death. During the time of his incarceration, he was visited by a friend known as Crito to discuss the matter of his death in addition to the proposal of escape from prison. Crito initially believed that it would be in Socrates best interest to escape prison and live in exile instead of facing death. Socrates, however, had a different view on escape and chose not to flee. Instead, he faced his sentence and explained his reasoning to be what he believed was right. Escaping could have been feasible for a few different reasons including instances such as his children and the people that he taught. For the type of teacher that he was, his reasons for not escaping are understandable and respectable, and he believed that escaping was wrong. Since he believed it wrong, it was good that Socrates chose not to escape. Escaping would essentially nullify his teaching of morals and honor and his reasons for living. Socrates had a few reasons for accepting his punishments and not escaping the death sentence that he was handed. In hopes to convince Socrates to escape prison, his friend Crito visited him in prison before he was put to death. Crito initially began pleading with Socrates to escape because he did not want to lose a friend and he was afraid that people would think that he... ... middle of paper ... ...dditionally, Socrates believed that escaping would show that the people who tried him and found him guilty that they had in fact done the right thing. This would further their assumptions that he was corrupting the minds of people by running away and disobeying the law. If he had escaped, he may have been invalidated and may not be as important historically as he is today. Whether or not it made an impact on Athens or the rest of the world, Socrates did what he believed was right for himself and for the people. I believe that Socrates did what was honorable at the time. His honor and incite in to the way that people should live has been carried on through history is proof that people still value his ideas and reasoning. Works Cited Rachels, James, and Stuart Rachels. The Truth about the World. Ed. Meredith Grant. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. Print.
Plato's "Crito" begins with Socrates in prison due to his sentence by his Athenian peers, he awakes to find Crito in his cell; Crito had bribed the guards to the prison. Crito then tries to convince Socrates to escape to Thessaly, where he can have a safe life. Socrates was not easily convinced as he believed that he should suffer his punishment even if it is unjust, wanting his death to be an example for the jurors and those of Athens. Crito pleas to Socrates with a number of arguments, standing against his enemies in Athens (politicians, craftsman, etc), for the
There are many instances in Plato's the Crito where Socrates gives reasons for himself to stay in Athens and face his death. Arguments range from that of him being too old to run, to the common response two wrongs don't make a right. The reason I intend to argue against is one Socrates expresses in regards to his obligations to the city he has lived in all his life, and thus the rules that he has subsequently followed throughout that time. In Athens just like any other city, one follows the rules that the respective city has laid down because he/she believes in those laws, or does not and keeps silent. In the stand Socrates takes, he argues that since he has lived in Athens all his life, he is required to stand his ground and take what's thrown his way, even if that punishment is death, "do you think you have the right to retaliation against your country and its laws?" (Crito, 53) Socrates was a master of words. It is easy to say that his intellect allowed him to make anyone see all sides of an argument. Even Crito at times is confused about his decision to free his friend, think that he is making the right decision, "or do you think it possible for a city not to be destroyed if the verdicts of its courts have no force but are nullified and set at naught by private individuals."(Crito, 52) Socrates’ words are very convincing, but what he is not thinking about is the fact that this whole predicament was not meant to be. Socrates was supposed to be in all ...
...tion is wrong, however Socrates reasons to Crito why he must comply with injustice given to him. “But, my dear Crito, why should we care so much about public opinion? Reasonable men, of whose opinion it is worth our while to think, will believe that we acted as we really did” (Plato 53). Socrates understands that what he did to receive execution was unjustly represented. However Socrates tries to explain to Crito the need to comply with his sentence for he does not care what society’s opinions are, as long as those who actually know what occurred understand that Socrates did nothing wrong. Those few people that know Socrates is not guilty of his crime is the compensation that Socrates lives with. As Crito goes into a more detailed argument about how Socrates needs to rebel against the higher power, Socrates patiently disputes back the reasons behind his compliance.
Socrates argues in the Crito that he shouldn't escape his death sentence because it isn't just. Crito is distressed by Socrates reasoning and wishes to convince him to escape since Crito and friends can provide the ransom the warden demands. If not for himself, Socrates should escape for the sake of his friends, sons, and those who benefit from his teaching. Socrates and Crito's argument proceeds from this point.
In his jail cell, Crito assumes that Socrates is worried about how much money it would take to complete his escape, and assures him that strangers and friends have already offered to assist him with this obstacle. It seems that Crito’s main concern is that people will not believe that Socrates refused the offer to escape, and this will damage Crito’s reputation as well as the rest of Socrates’ friends'. People will assume that Crito was too cheap or did not care enough to help his friend, and for that he will be disrespected by what he calls the “majority” of the citizens.
In Plato’s Crito, Socrates’s commitment to virtue is illustrated. Socrates is imprisoned and has been sentenced to death. Socrates will most likely be put to death the next day. One of Socrates’ friends and supporters, Crito, comes in and tells Socrates that he has paid off the guard and that they must move quickly and escape. Socrates says it would be unjust for him to escape, as Crito pleads for him to leave. Socrates acts according to his definition of virtue when ignoring Crito’s reasonings, and therefore is acting virtuously in his insistence on staying.
The State of Athens found Socrates guilty of “impiety and corrupting the youth.”1 He was sentenced to death, but in the meanwhile, he was being held in a jail cell. Crito, Socrates' old friend, came to visit him one morning. Crito explained that they have the money and supplies to get Socrates out of his jail cell, and away from Athens to be a fugitive, thus saving Socrates his life. Socrates answered all Crito's options with an argument stating how he cannot escape from his cell, and death, because he would be defying all the laws of the State. If he denies all laws of the State, Socrates believes that if he leaves, then he would be proven guilty, and the charge of death against him would be correct. Socrates believes that if he stays, and
When Socrates was sentenced to death, his friend Crito offers to help him escape, but he refuse to escape. He explains to Crito that if he were to escape he would be running away his whole life. He would stay at Athens and comply with the sentence as set by Athens law and die for his cause. Another reason that he gave Crito for not escaping was that he was already death alive and that he was too old to be running away .
Socrates was a famous Athenian philosopher who was sentenced to death for the charges of corruption of the youth and impiety, or the act of not worshipping Athenian gods. In Plato’s dialogue, The Crito, Socrates argues to Crito his reasoning to stay in prison. Socrates gives three major explanations why he should not escape; the first being that if he escapes he it would be unjust to the state, the second being that people must always keep their promise, and lastly we must obey or respect our parents and teachers. The purpose of this essay is to show that Socrates’ arguments are flawed.
Socrates lived such a private life that it lead to the most important revelation of his entire life. He would go about his life doing nothing but self-examination. In examining his life so strenuously others would come to him to be taught, or to have their children be taught by Socrates. They would offer him money and he would refuse. They would do whatever they could to learn anything Socrates had to teach. What they did not know is that Socrates was not teaching anyone he was simply going about his usual life and people just happened to learn from it. This was also why Socrates was put on trial. He was brought up on two charges, one of impiety and the other of corrupting the youth. These two charges set the course for the last month of his life.
In Plato’s “Crito”, Socrates, who is convicted of spreading false beliefs to the youth in Athens is in an argument with his friend, Crito. Crito tries to convince Socrates of the reality of his sentence and that it would only make sense for him to escape. He gives many reasons of why escaping is necessary and moral. Crito states,
...uments are completely different. Crito wants Socrates to escape because he doesn’t deserve to die because he did nothing wrong. Socrates argues back that if he escapes he will be breaking the law. Which is the thing that he is trying to uphold. Socrates believes that escaping will go against all the things he has been arguing and teaching the youth.
“Crito” is a discussion between Socrates and his rich fellow Crito that took place in a cell of jail while Socrates was awaiting his execution. Crito was there to persuade Socrates for an escape from a jail and the discussion focused on deciding whether Socrates should escape the jail or not. Socrates used his traditional style of questioning and logic to conclude that it is unjust to escape from the jail and he has to follow the order by the law.
In Crito, Socrates is put into jail for an immoral doing and Crito, his good friend, wants to break him out of the prison, but Socrates states retaliation is not the answer. Why would we be held to death under the law if we did nothing wrong, even though we had a way out? This question occurs multiple times throughout the story but is never actually answered, it seems as if anyone in the world today would leave prison for a life outside the country if they have to flee. I believe he is sick of the world as he is so old in this age of time. Normal people only live to their thirties and this man is over seventy right now. Does the accused have the right to break the law if they never committed breaking the law in which they are accused of? This is a big controversy in this story and in real life. From my interpretation, he respects the law and does not want any guilt in his life for later on. He would rather die a happy man than have guilt running through his head the whole time if he gets out.
...ns. Why would he do this if he did not see the laws of Athens as just? In order to fulfill the agreement he has made with Athenian law, Socrates must accept the punishment he is given, though he feels that his being punished is Athens wronging him. It would be wrong, by his view, to escape from prison, though he would not be pursued, because he would be breaking his agreement to obey Athenian law. Since he and Crito previously agreed that one must never do wrong, he simply must stay in jail until his death. This is merely one example of the way in which Socrates uses a method of logical dialogue in order to make his point. He appears to be unmatched in his skills of deduction and consistently demonstrates his love of knowledge and truth. Socrates exemplifies all that is philosophy, both as a student and a teacher, because of his constant, active pursuit of wisdom.