Socrates And Crito Argumentative Analysis
To be just or to be served an injustice and obey, this is the very basis of the philosophical dialogue between Socrates and Crito. The Crito begins as one of Socrates’ wealthy friends, Crito, offers Socrates a path to freedom—to escape from Athens. Through the ensuing dialogue, Socrates examines, as a man who is bound by principles of justice, whether an unjust verdict should be responded to with injustice. In the dialogue between Socrates and Crito, Socrates outlines his main arguments and principles that prevent him from escaping under such circumstances.
Socrates is under guard when Crito visits him, thus the plan to escape. He has been found guilty of trumped up charges, “corrupting the young and not believing in the gods in whom the city
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Socrates believes that justice benefits the just, but also benefits the city (other people) too. He is faced with a seemingly simple choice, escape Athens or remain in prison and be sentenced to death. Socrates’ central argument against escaping his circumstances is twofold. First, Socrates argues that “one must never do wrong.” (49b) In other words, one should never do an injustice. And likewise, “one should never do wrong in return, nor do any man harm, no matter what he may have done to you.”(49d) It is from this argument that Socrates outlines why he must not escape, for it would be to wrong the city that made him. No matter what the city may have done to him, he must never act against it in retaliation. Socrates bases this view of justice on the worth of living a good life. “And is life worth living for us with that part of us corrupted by unjust actions” (47e) If we corrupt our soul with injustice, our life would not be worth living, therefore one must never commit an injustice. “When one has come to an agreement that is just with someone, one should fulfill it.”(49e) It is this agreement with the Laws that Socrates would be violating, if he were to
Martin Luther King And Socrates Similarities
695 Words | 3 PagesHaving read Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and Plato’s Crito’, I would conclude that even though both men have some similarities, their beliefs, views about the world, and their outlook on the justice system were different. They were similar in the sense that both men were in jail when they gave their accounts. Both King and Socrates’ ideas of just and unjust law influenced their generation and they were also willing to die for what they believed was right. King and Socrates would respond differently to the argument that human and civil rights come from God and not the government. Since King was a believer and a Christian, he would argue that human rights come from God.
Justice In Crito's Apology
221 Words | 1 PagesIn “Apoligy” Socrates refused to admit his accusation, but in “Crito” he chose to accept the death instead of escaping. His value towards justice can be reflected by much of his word that “justice” is not limited to individuals but at a higher level; it is like a shared value inside all human being. When Crito said his worry of “shameful reputation” of spending money for friend”, Socrates asked him why he needed to consider other people’s opinions. “The best people, who are more deserving of our attention, will believe that the matter was handled in just the way it is.” (44c)
Why Shouldn T Socrates Escape Crito
1027 Words | 5 PagesCrito was able to get passed the prison guards, in the morning, to find Socrates and try to convince him that he should escape from his jail cell. Crito and Socrates each provide arguments of why Socrates should escape, and Socrates provides his reasons of why he will not. The three arguments are if Socrates does not escape he will hurt Crito, if Socrates is worried what will happen to his friends and family, and lastly, if Socrates violates the agreement with the law. Socrates would rather follow the laws and have the death penalty then escape and flee to a different city. If Socrates does leave Athens then the people will most likely think that Socrates was guilty of the charges against him.
Similarities Between Socrates And Martin Luther King
872 Words | 4 PagesSocrates and his family could move to a non-Greek city where he would be accepted but it will not be as safe or nice as a Greek city. Socrates would not only ruin his reputation by escaping jail he would also hurt his kids because they will be known for having a father that broke the law. Socrates has these four arguments to show why it is not just for him or anyone else to break the law. He agrees that some laws are unjust but he does not have the right to break these unjust laws. In his case, he thinks he was put in jail unjustly but it is only just for him to deal with the punishment the city gives
Letter From Birmingham Jail
1454 Words | 6 PagesIs it better to follow laws that are unjust but right, or do the thing that is fair but are against the law? Socrates in Plato’s “The Crito” and Martin Luther King, Jr. in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” answer this question from conflicting perspectives. According to Plato (427-423 BCE), Socrates believed that it is his duty to obey the law of his city, Athens, on all occasions, whereas King (1963) made the argument first put forth by St. Thomas Aquinas that “an unjust law is no law at all” (p. 69). One of these reasons for the differing opinions on this subject is due to the times and places in which these two men existed and came to their views on Civil disobedience.
Telemachus And Socrates
1242 Words | 5 PagesIn Plato’s Republic, Plato analyzes Socrates’ accounts about society, justice, and moralism. In an effort to answer two important questions—what is justice and why should we be just—Socrates engages in a dialogue with various individuals. Polemarchus and Cephalus each offer similar statements as to what they believe justice to be. Polemarchus states that justice is living up to your legal obligations: “to owe something good to their friends, never something bad” (332a). In a clever manner, Socrates refutes his friends by exposing possible contradictions within their arguments.
Compare And Contrast Martin Luther King And Socrates
1670 Words | 7 PagesAlthough somewhat arrogant, Socrates has virtually done nothing to disobey the law besides challenge the people to think deeply. He speaks about perpetual peace on the basis of providing truth and knowledge around him, in order to make a better society. Socrates has absolutely no speech prepared for his time in court, and speaks wholeheartedly off the basis of truth and honesty. The first quote I noticed was on page 23, and this was where socrates addressed his
Socrates Arguments In The Crito
499 Words | 2 PagesSocrates’ Arguments in the Crito In The Crito, Socrates argues that he should not escape prison because it would be morally incorrect. He says that the really important thing is not to live but to live well. Therefore, by escaping prison, not only will he suffer the consequences but also his family, his friends, and the city of Athens. Socrates argues that the city of Athens would be affected if he escapes from prison.
Socrates Should Stay In Prison Analysis
710 Words | 3 PagesSocrates should remain in prison after evaluating Critos arguments although Socrates’s were stronger. I’ll begin with Crito’s argument and what makes them strong, and what doesn’t. Next, I’ll focus on Socrates arguments and what makes them good and what makes them weak, mainly his focus that living with a bad soul isn’t worth living when you have a bad soul. Crito gives Socrates three arguments.
Rhetorical Devices Used In Aristotle's Crito
624 Words | 3 PagesFrom beginning to end, Aristotle’s captivating reading, Crito, is composed with of the three rhetorical devices: logos, pathos, and ethos. Consequentialy, one of the existent rhetorical devices is more robust than the others. Whilst logos and pathos spawn well-founded emotional and logical enticement, the most indisputable rhetorical device used throughout the story is ethos. Undoubtably, ethos is the utmost evident rhetorical device in the story, Crito, as Socrates honorably stood by his morals, even after Crito tried to prompt the man to abandon them; demonstrating his thickness of character, integrity, and honesty.
Comparing The Crito And Letters From A Birmingham Jail
1957 Words | 8 PagesWhat this suggests is that Socrates would be supporting the wrong-doing of his adversaries in following through with their commands. But Socrates argues that laws are just and one should never do wrong. No matter how much one thinks the act was just. He explained that he could not break the law, just because he believed the reason he was being punished was unjust. He was a man that lived his whole life following the Law of the Athenians.
Private Life In Socrates's Apology
1021 Words | 5 PagesIn Apology, Socrates faces possible execution as he stands trial in front of his fellow Athenian men. This jury of men must decide whether Socrates has acted impiously against the gods and if he has corrupted the youth of Athens. Socrates claims in his defense that he wants to live a private life, away from public affairs and teachings in Athens. He instead wants to focus on self-examination and learning truths from those in Athens through inquiry. Socrates argues that "a [man] who really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public, life if [he] is to survive for even a short time" (32a).
Summary Of Crito's Three Arguments
718 Words | 3 PagesCrito and others have the money to bribe the informers and wants Socrates to let go of his fears if he has any because it is well worth the risk. (Crito,45a.) Crito believes he will be welcome in cities such as Thessaly where he has friends that
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates 'Apology'
1314 Words | 6 PagesSocrates was a greek philosopher who found himself in trouble with his fellow citizens and court for standing his grounds on his new found beliefs from his studies about philosophical virtue, justice, and truth. In “Apology” written by Plato, Socrates defended himself in trial, not with the goal of escaping the death sentence, but with the goal of doing the right thing and standing for his beliefs. With this mindset, Socrates had no intention of kissing up to the Athenians to save his life. Many will argue that Socrates’ speech was not very effective because he did not fight for his life, he just accepted the death sentence that he was punished with. In his speech he said, “But now it’s time to leave, time for me to die and for you to live.”
Breaking The Law In Socrates 'Apology'
356 Words | 2 PagesIn the Apology Socrates claims that he is willing to break the law if it is unjust and even goes as far as bragging about his willingness to break unjust laws. There are two key examples in the text that support this impression. First example is when he states that he would never stop practicing philosophy even if the jury ordered him to. Second one is when he tells about the time he was ordered to go to Salamis to get Leon but he disobeyed the law and didn’t go.
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