Arguments Against Socrates

Socrates motives for not escaping could also be understood by his principles. His principle says, “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.

Socrates should not escape from prison to avoid his death sentence because he would be breaking the law which ultimately led to him straying away from his own principles. He was a person who believed in what was just and doing what was morally correct. If he were to escape from prison, he would essentially be harming others and the State. He thought through harming others, he would be harming himself and his soul, so Socrates did not believe in harming others and thought it was unjust and morally wrong. Even though Socrates had the opportunity to escape and he was given plenty of reasons from his friends to do so, he did not want to go against what he believes in and his philosophy. He could not live a life where he would have to stop

In The Crito by Socrates, both Crito and Socrates present arguments, one that Socrates should escape prison, and one that he should not. Crito’s argument contains logic fallacies that undermine his argument and make it weak. Therefore, Socrates argument that he should remain in prison and face his death is valid and strong, and is better than Crito’s.

person. He stayed in Athens because he said that he had lived by the laws of the

In the Crito, Socrates believes that breaking the laws of the city harms all of society. The consequences of escaping the city outweigh the benefits for it puts his family, his friends, and himself in danger. He believes in a personal morality that one must live a good and just life, and not just any life. If Socrates breaks the law then he would not be acting justly,

In the Crito, Socrates is approached by his life-long friend Crito while in prison awaiting execution. Crito used many different ways to attempt to persuade Socrates to escape. The best argument Crito uses is that he says Socrates would be betraying his children if he were to stay in prison. He says that Socrates should bring them up and educate them, not leave them. Socrates, contrary to what Crito says, feels that he has an implied contract with the State. He believes that his family staying in Athens and raising him there was the greatest compliment they could have given him, so he feels that he owes it to the State to accept its laws and to remain a willing partner to the State. Socrates’ feelings were summed up on page 64 when he says:

In Plato’s Crito, Socrates commits philosophical suicide by appealing to the gods through the Laws of the state. After Socrates conviction in the Apology, he was sentenced to death. While waiting for his execution, one of his friends bribes the guard and attempts to entice Socrates to escaping and living good in exile. Socrates claims that there is a right way of living that the god’s demand and “it is never Right to do Wrong. Therefore, it is not right to do wrong even when one is wronged (it is not right to injure even when one has been injured).” Socrates uses this argument to deny Crito and to follow the

Socrates adjusts these theories to the option to escape from his captors and abandon their conclusion on his future. Crito begins to understand Socrates view in his suggestion. "the only valid consideration is whether we should be acting rightly in giving with the escape, or whether in truth we shall do wrong in doing all this." (49c) Socrates concludes that if he followed Crito's advice he would be committing several dishonest actions against his own society that were

He also explains to Crito that the citizen is bound to the laws like a child is bound to a parent, and so to go against the laws would be like striking a parent. Rather than simply break the laws and escape, Socrates should try to persuade the laws to let him go. These laws present the citizen's duty to them in the form of a kind of social contract. By choosing to live in Athens, a citizen is endorsing the laws, and is willing to follower by them. Therefore, if he was to break from prison now, having so consistently validated the social contract, he would be making himself an outlaw who would not be welcome in any other civilized state for the rest of his life. Furthermore when he dies, he will be harshly judged in the underworld for behaving unjustly toward his city's laws. In this way, Socrates chooses not to attempt escape but he dies as a martyr, not for himself, but for his city and its system of justice.

One of the biggest arguments between Socrates and his friend Crito is that why Socrates have had to stay in jail and face and obey the unfair judgment? From Crito’s point of view, he wants Socrates to escape because he does not want lose a good friend and gain bad reputation,

As Socrates awaits his upcoming execution; he is visited 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. However, 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. If Socrates is worried about the risk or the financial cost to Crito; it’s an expense that he is willing to pay, and that he made arrangements for Socrates to live a life of exile in a pleasant

We are able to validate that Socrates is giving up his freedom to become an Athenian citizen. Crito goes to Socrates's prison and tries to persuade him to go through exile because, if he stayed, he would be bolstering his enemies in 'wronging him unjustly' but, Socrates thinks otherwise believing that If he were to flee from prison he would be making himself an outlaw who would disrupt civilization. Arguments arouse between these men dealing with the ideas of majority, the Athenian laws, and life which all come in coalition for what it means to being a good citizen. Furthermore, when Socrates says "Let this be the basis of our deliberation, that neither to do wrong not to return a wrong is ever correct, nor is doing harm in return for harm

Crito’s initial position is that Socrates must allow him to aid him in escaping his sentence before it is too late. Crito states that is in the best interest of everyone if he were to flee, citing that Socrates would leave his friends left to endure punishment from informers who may force them to give up properties or even a great deal of money. (45a) He then continues his plea by assuring Socrates that the cost of a proper bride is not a factor and that many other would happily give to ensure his safety. (45b) Crito pleads to his pride and sensibility in that he must not worry about the concept of exile since he has many followers and friends who would ensure his safety. Additionally he reminds Socrates by accepting his unjust punishment

Socrates was to remain in prison for the duration of the religious mission before he could be executed. In this time, Crito is doing his best to convince Socrates to escape, even having all of the details planned and ready by paying the guards and organizing a way out. It is also evident that Socrates will not have another chance to escape and if he wants to live, he will take this opportunity. However, Socrates refuses to go with Crito and his other loyal friends and family, and provides his typical elusive reasoning as to why he cannot, even seemingly content with the prospect of death. He seems to reason that he will not change his ideology and that he would rather die, than change his opinion.

In Plato`s dialogue Crito, Socrates spent his last time in the prison. Crito is coming to save Socrates and have plans how to make his escape. Socrates discussing with Crito should he escape from prison or not and gives arguments why he needs to stay and waiting for his death. Crito really wants to save his close friend but Socrates explain his wisdom thoughts: