The Argument Of The Death Penalty In Plato's Crito

In Plato’s Crito, Socrates proposes that one should never return a wrong with a wrong because returning a wrong would be unjust. Retaliation produces injury and injury is an injustice that should never be committed under any circumstance. Despite being placed in prison for the wrong reasons, Socrates decides not to leave since escaping would only mean harming Athens, the land that gave him everything. Although Socrates has reasonable arguments as to why he shouldn’t leave, Socrates fails to comprehend that retaliation can sometimes be justified. Socrates was a peculiar fellow, a fellow who questioned many individuals in Athens with his staggering knowledge, which inevitably landed him a spot in prison for corrupting the youth. His contributions …show more content…
Socrates disregards this statement, asserting that it’s too unjust and lacks morality, as it would harm one’s soul. Many too agree with Socrates, especially regarding the ongoing issue on whether or not the death penalty is moral and if it should ever be permissible. Arguments made against the death penalty gravitate around the main problem with it, and that’s the value of life. Many critics state that the death penalty brushes off the meaning of life by disposing the lives of people. Although this certainly is a strong point, one must not ignore the fact that these individuals themselves don’t value life and thus should be treated as such. Lex talionis can rightfully be implemented in order to stop further criminal acts and help support the efforts in creating a better society. For example, murderers, rapists, and serial killers are all criminals who decided to break severe laws. Instead of a tooth for a tooth, these criminals receive life long sentences that cost well over millions of dollars in efforts to increase cell capacity and acquire food. Instead of wasting millions on criminals who disregard the value of life, the government should rather implement its funds on other important matters such as innovating hospitals, schools, and infrastructure in order to enhance the way of living. Criminal activity is only rising and soon will consume a vast majority of terrain that could’ve