Platos The Crito Essay - 954 Words

Platos The Crito In life, people are guided by moral beliefs and principles. Whether their beliefs are good or bad, their decisions are based on them. In Plato â€Å"The Crito†, Socrates emphasizes his moral beliefs and principles when he decides not to escape from prison. Although Socrates had the opportunity to escape his death sentence, he chose not to do so because he had a moral obligation to commit a sacrifice. Socrates was being guided by his moral beliefs when he decided not to escape from prison. Socrates informs us of his principle when he says, â€Å"[†¦] my first principle, that neither injury†¦show more content†¦His statement clarifies his reasons for not escaping death. Therefore, Socrates was not clearly right in escaping and would have violated his principles. Socrates did not want to break any of his principles because he reasoned to think that his moral beliefs were more important than his family. Socrates in his dialogue says, â€Å"Think not of life and chi ldren first, and of justice afterwards, but of justice first.†(1). His idea seems callous towards his personal relationships in life. However, Socrate’s friend, Crito, pursues him when he says, â€Å"But you are choosing the easier part, as I=2 0think, not the better and manlier.†(1). Socrates is given this statement by his friend in order to pursue him to change his mind to escape. However, Socrates insists in following good principles according to his wisdom. His friend was now just understanding why Socrates decided to stay in prison rather than escaping his wrongful death sentence. Socrates motives for not escaping could also be understood by his principles. His principle says, â€Å"And a good life is equivalent to a just and honorable one.†(1). Socrates believes and lives by doing well to himself and other people. Even though staying in prison would cause him physical damage, he is willing to sacrifice his body in order to save his soul. Because of his belief in living an honorable life, Socrates reasons to stay in prison rather than escaping.Show MoreRelatedPlatos Apology And Crito1036 Words   |  5 PagesIn Plato’s â€Å"Apology† and â€Å"Crito†, I believe Socrates’ philosophy of not doing harmful things on purpose, because of ignorance, or the act of doing it unwillingly, is false. First I will show you some contradictions introduced in the books of the Apology, and Crito and explain them. Next, I will explain how in the present day Socrates philosophy is false due to the vices of mankind, with evidence from the Apolo gy, then I will show you how Socrates might argue his point and a counter argument in presentRead MorePlatos Apology And Crito Analysis1873 Words   |  8 PagesTensions between moral philosopher and the faithful citizen of the polis are highlighted in Plato’s Apology and Crito. In the Apology, Socrates is faced with a death sentence at the hands of the state, but ironically is unapologetic in his discourse while defending himself. The Crito, however, displays Socrates in a dialogue where he chooses to engage and characterize the laws as a means of arguing for his faithfulness to the decision of the polis. Indeed, he uses the laws as a rhetorical deviceRead MoreThe Importance Of Justice In Platos Crito883 Words   |  4 PagesThe tragic play written by Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, reflects the development of justice that is first revealed in Plato’s Crito. In Crito, it is evident that justice was carried out in a different manner than in The Consolation o f Philosophy as well as each individual’s experience. Boethius was a man who cherished material goods and lacked connection with whom to pray to, God, and defined justice through his own opinion. Socrates possessed the immaterial good of dedication to actRead MoreEssay Platos Apology of Socrates and Crito1326 Words   |  6 Pages Socrates Sides With? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Through my reading of Platos Apology of Socrates and Crito, I have been able to see how Socrates makes important decisions and what he primarily bases his decisions on. As a individual person we have individual morals which lead us to our own moral or immoral decisions. Sometimes are own morals or beliefs might oppose the views of the state or the enforced law that clams to find justice. In this case we rely on our own beliefs that may be throughRead MoreObligations to Follow the Law: Platos Crito540 Words   |  2 PagesIn Plato’s Crito, Socrates talks about his obligations to follow the law. Although Socrates understands that the Athenian democracy has committed an unjust action by sentencing him to death, he is unwilling to escape with Crito. He understands that an injustice should not be answered with injustice, but there are times when one should question the law. In Socrates’ Defense and the Crito, Plato discusses when one ought to follow the law and when ought to not follow the law. One not only has the obligationsRead MoreThe Presentation of Socrates Arguements in Plato’s Apology and Crito792 Words   |  4 PagesIn both Plato’s Apology and Crito, Plato presents Socrates arguments clearly and precisely. Socrates is wise man with a different perspective on life, which presents us with a mass of contradictions. Socrates is an expressive man, yet he never recorded any works. He is ignorant, but wrongfully convicted who is willing to fight his unjust execution. Behind these dilemmas is an opposition not often explored. Socrates is the most patriotic of philosophers, who is dedicated to his state. Exploring thisRead MoreEssay on Plato’s Crito: The Last Days of Socrates 1134 Words   |  5 Pagesvisited before dawn by a close old friend Crito. Crito has made arrangements to help Socrates escape from prison. Socrates is grateful to his old friend for his willing to help aide him in the escape. How ever, Socrates is quite willing to await his execution. Crito tries to change Socrates mind about escaping by presenting him with several arguments. The first is that if Socrates choices to stay, his death will reflect poorly on Crito. The people will think that Crito did nothing to save his friend. IfRead More Exploration of Civil Disobedience in Sophocles Antigone, Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail, and Platos From Crito580 Words   |  3 PagesDisobedience in Sophocles Antigone, Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail, and Platos From Crito Civil disobedience spawns a major and widely debated issue by many who established by well-known intelligent scholars and many examples of civil disobedience become displayed. The acts of civil disobedience can be noted in major works such as Sophocles?s Antigone, King?s ?Letter from Birmingham Jail?, or even from Plato?s ?from Crito?. A specific claim exemplified throughout these works make that civil disobedienceRead MoreWhat Is the Purpose of the ‘Speech of the Laws’, in Plato’s Crito? How Is It Related to Crito’s Political Opinions and Preferences as Expressed in This Dialogue?2389 Words   |  10 Pagesthe ‘speech of the laws’, in Plato’s Crito? How is it related to Crito’s political opinions and preferences as expressed in this dialogue? The ‘speech of the laws’ as witnessed in Plato’s Crito is of utmost importance to one of Plato’s shorter dialogues and serves multiple purposes, some of which will be engaged with here. The speech will be looked in terms of its methodological purpose and will question what functions this serves. Philosophically speaking the Crito remains a dialogue concerningRead MoreFate Or Free Will?882 Words   |  4 Pageswas one of the most distinguished philosophers to demonstrate free will. He would demonstrate this by choosing in which manner he would perish, and when the phenomenon would transpire. His apprentice Plato would write with reference to this in Crito. On the other hand, Niccolo Machiavelli from the Renaissance epoch, writes references to the fate of one in The Prince. He would acknowledge the virtues that under any circumstances could dictate and control one’s fate. Socrates and Machiavelli