Plato’s work, The Trial and Death of Socrates has been and still remains a compelling piece of writing in Western Philosophy. In The Crito, the laws are the main focal point in all of Socrates arguments against leaving the city of Athens. He outlines the beliefs that he lives by and because of those beliefs chooses to not go against them, lest he risk tarnishing his psyche and reputation. Even when the Socrates does not speak for the laws, it is evident from the dialog that upholding the laws of Athens are far more superior in his life, than his own life and children. This paper is structured to analyze the arguments brought forth by Socrates, under the voice of the laws and as himself, to reveal the loyalty he harbors for the city of Athens.
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This work takes place in Socrates’ prison cell, where his friend Crito comes to visit him. Crito enters his cell overwhelmed with feelings of melancholy and heavily impacted by the impending death that his friend has been sentenced to. Crito attempts to convince Socrates to avoid the death penalty by escaping to exile. He presents numerous arguments in hopes that Socrates will change his mind. However, Socrates disregards Crito’s arguments and explains that by escaping he would be hurting the city of Athens more than anyone else. He continues saying “You must either persuade it or obey its orders, and endure in silence whatever it instructs you to endure, whether it blows or bonds, and if it leads you into war to be wounded or killed, you must obey.” (51b, the Crito) Through Socrates’ perspective, he feels compelled to uphold the laws of the city because if he were to follow Crito’s wishes and leave, Socrates would bring destruction upon the Athens and the laws they attempt to vindicate. During his trial, he attempted to reason with the jury so that they would not hurt him, however, because the jury found him guilty, instead of arguing with the citizens who performed their civil duties, he accepted the decision they came to. If he did attempt to evade death, his action would show the city that Socrates was most likely guilty of the charges that were placed on him. Thus, permitting himself to die was the only way for Socrates to prove to himself and to the city of Athens that he would die with a pure psyche and as an innocent
This work takes place in Socrates’ prison cell, where his friend Crito comes to visit him. Crito enters his cell overwhelmed with feelings of melancholy and heavily impacted by the impending death that his friend has been sentenced to. Crito attempts to convince Socrates to avoid the death penalty by escaping to exile. He presents numerous arguments in hopes that Socrates will change his mind. However, Socrates disregards Crito’s arguments and explains that by escaping he would be hurting the city of Athens more than anyone else. He continues saying “You must either persuade it or obey its orders, and endure in silence whatever it instructs you to endure, whether it blows or bonds, and if it leads you into war to be wounded or killed, you must obey.” (51b, the Crito) Through Socrates’ perspective, he feels compelled to uphold the laws of the city because if he were to follow Crito’s wishes and leave, Socrates would bring destruction upon the Athens and the laws they attempt to vindicate. During his trial, he attempted to reason with the jury so that they would not hurt him, however, because the jury found him guilty, instead of arguing with the citizens who performed their civil duties, he accepted the decision they came to. If he did attempt to evade death, his action would show the city that Socrates was most likely guilty of the charges that were placed on him. Thus, permitting himself to die was the only way for Socrates to prove to himself and to the city of Athens that he would die with a pure psyche and as an innocent