Essay on Socrates - 1116 Words

In Crito, Plato recounts the last days of Socrates, immediately before his execution was to take place in Athens. In the dialogue, Socrates’ pupil, Crito, proposes that Socrates escape from prison. Socrates considers this proposal, trying to decide whether escaping would be â€Å"just† and â€Å"morally justified.† Eventually, Socrates concludes that the act is considered â€Å"unjust† and â€Å"morally unjustified.† Socrates then decides to accept his fate and proceeded with his execution. Socrates was a man who was in pursuit of the truth (Durant). In his refusal to accept exile from Athens or a commitment of silence as a penalty, he chooses death and is thrown into prison. While Socrates is awaiting his execution, many of his friends, including Crito,†¦show more content†¦Socrates’ argument moves from one of a general moral decision to the morality of his specific case. He basically says: -One ought never to do wrong, -But it is always wrong to disobey the state, -Therefore, one ought never to disobey the state (Durant) Since avoiding the sentence handed down by the jury would be disobeying the state, Socrates decides not to escape. Socrates chose to honor his commitment to truth and morality, even at the cost of his own life. One of the main arguments made by Socrates, â€Å"Think not of life and children first, and of justice afterwards, but of justice first...For neither will you nor any that belong to you be happier or holier or juster in this li fe, or happier in another, if you do as Crito bids.† -Socrates (Wolff 45), is one of the most important and crucial statements in the Crito dialogue. Socrates provides a very convincing argument of why he should not escape from the Athenian prison. He states that if he does as Crito suggests and escapes, it will not be justifiable or true, and he will be contradicting his own teachings. Although his family and friends will be much happier if he escapes, he will not follow the justice or moral code of the state in which he was born and raised. Socrates also gives the idea that if he were to escape, his family and friends would be happy for him, but their fellow citizens and their state in which they reside would not. TheShow MoreRelatedSocrates : The Suicide Of Socrates1405 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates was born in 470 BCE in Athens, Greece. His father was Sophroniscus, a sculptor and stone mason from Athens and his mother was a midwife by the name of Phaenarete (30 Interesting Socrates Facts 2014). Socrates original profession was masonry and sculpting, before becoming a philosopher. On a day in 399 BC, Socrates ( roughly 71 years at the time) went to trial.Now why would anyone want to send an old man to court? 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