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Socrates Arguments In The Crito

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Socrates’ 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. By escaping from prison, he would be breaking the laws of the city. Since the laws all together are seen as one, by breaking one law he would be breaking all the laws. In order for a law to be legitimate, the citizens of the city must follow the laws. If the law is broken, it is no longer a legitimate law. This is why Socrates …show more content…

If Crito helps him escape, he will earn a bad reputation as well. If his friends help him escape, they would be putting themselves in danger of being prosecuted and losing their money. His children would be known to have a father who's on the run because he broke the law and they would be left alone if he escapes to another city. They would be left alone even if he stays in jail and faces his execution, but it is better if they stay in Athens with people they know. If he escapes to another city, they will view him as a criminal and if his children came with him they would be viewed as foreigners.

By breaking the law his soul would be ruined and a ruined soul is not worth living with. This goes back to when he said that the really important thing is not to live but to live well. Also, when he dies he would enter Hades as an outlaw and will not be well welcomed. Therefore, he believes that he should stay and face his execution because it is better to die than to live with a ruined soul. Socrates uses all of these points to support his main argument which is that escaping jail would be morally incorrect. Crito accepts his arguments and Socrates decides he is going to

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