preview

Examples Of Plato In Crito

Decent Essays
Open Document

In Crito by the Greek philosopher Plato, Crito, who is a good friend of Socrates arrives at the jail where Socrates is held to help him escape, along with other reasons. However, Socrates refuses to leave the jail because he believes it is unjust to disobey the law. For this paper, I will be explaining Socrates' position in greater detail. Socrates decides not to escape from the prison because he agreed to the terms of his sentence with the Athenian state. Escaping would go against his belief that man should "…do what he has agreed with someone to be right." (pg. 541). Another reason why Socrates refuses to escape from the prison is that if he does escape, he believes the state of Athens will view him as a danger to society who may disrupt the order of Athens. He explains this position of what the state may ask him if he escapes when he says, "In trying to do this, can't you see that you're trying to destroy us, the Laws, and the whole state as far as you can do it?" (pg. 541). …show more content…

He explains this belief when he explains to Crito "You must honor and obey and conciliate your country." (pg. 543). What Socrates meant by this was that whatever qualms who have against your home state, you must put them aside and submit to the law, whether you believe them to be unjust or not. As stated above even though Socrates believed he was unjustly convicted, he willingly decided to obey the law because he had grown up in Athens his entire life and submitted to their laws

Get Access