The "Apology" by Plato is a story about Socrates, who defended himself against accusers. Socrates was one of the greatest thinkers in ancient Greece and one of the few whose wisdom was noticed. From this story we can learn who Socrates was and what kind of life he had lived. To understand why Socrates deserved to be executed, we should have a view of times before execution. I will provide a brief opening statement.
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
Crito 's main point is that Socrates should flee Athens because he was sentenced to an unfair trial. Socrates is already of old age, therefore if he were to escape there would not be many years of his life left to enjoy. Crito 's first argument is that Socrates ' death will be a great loss to him. Socrates is a friend and mentor that cannot be easily replaced for Crito. Crito does not refer to Socrates’ wealth, but he means that Socrates is a man of integrity and reflectiveness.
For many centuries, many people continuously have two different stances in the Crito, which is one of the several Platonic dialogues. After pleading guilty in a trial and being sent to prison for the injustice of corrupting the youth’s mind, which he did not commit, Socrates is given the chance to decide whether to escape prison or not. Some believe that it was more righteous for Socrates to follow the Athenian laws and face his punishment. Others believe that he should not have suffered and have his last remaining moments unfairly taken from him. Despite the fact that Socrates accepted his penalty, he should have left with Crito because the trial was, overall, unfair.
Socrates by his words wanted to affect the jury and gain the mercy for not putting him to a death and change a penalty instead. However, Socrates asking for the mercy was not because he had no other choice, but to put impudence on the court decision. Socrates was able to win the case if he had practiced Sophistry, but he chosen to tell a truth instead of saying shameful things that other people say it during a trail to avoid a penalty. Moreover, Socrates prophesied that there will be others people to take his position after his death anyway. After all, it is not the particular person who created an issue, but the activity of Philosophy itself was
In this paper I will examine why Socrates did not attempt to appease the jury in his Apology. Socrates is put on trial for corrupting the youth and believing in gods other than the gods of the city. I believe he chose not to appease the jury for three reasons: he is a man of pride, he does not fear death and additionally finds it shameful to fear death. Socrates is a man of pride. He has passion for his beliefs and values, and would rather die than give them up.
In Plato’s dialogue Apology, Socrates is standing trial for two crimes; impiety and corrupting the youth. During the three speeches Socrates delivers during his trial he discusses why he is fearless when faced with many of the things humans fear most, including being hated, accused of serious crimes, being threatened with punishment, and being put to death. Being Hated To begin, Socrates does not fear being hated because he understands that the reason why he is disliked is due to his attempt to understand the underlying meaning behind the Oracle of Delphi’s prophecy. When Socrates addresses the anticipated questions about his reputation, he tells the jury the story of his friend Chaerephon who went to the Oracle of Delphi and asked if
The awnser to this question lies my opinion also on how Socrates made his choice. Take for instance a murderer is punished to death and guilty of his crimes, he should be punished not only to be just and reprimand him for his actions, but also to protect the lives of other people from getting hurt. In Socrates situation, he is unjustly accused of corrupting the youth and failing to acknowledge the gods his city acknowledged. This in opinioin is not only a real crime but the crime even if he truly committed it does not match the punishment. To conclude, Socrates in some peoples eyes may seem that the right thing for him to do is to escape and save his own life, even though he would be ricking the the lives of his friends and family and inevitably be caught later on down the road the face once again the same situation.
The first reason Socrates gives for accepting his death sentence is the fact that Athens has provided him with education. (Crito page 15) Although Socrates thinks this is a just reason, Plato would disagree because Socrates could have become corrupted and bad without proper education. According to Plato, Socrates would have the traits of a philosopher king. Socrates loves the truth, hates the false, is moderate and courageous. (The Republic 485a-486b) Careful analysis of The Crito would prove that Socrates does have those qualities as seen from his determination to stay in prison,
As they speak, Socrates utilizes talk to demonstrate his inward difficulties and discover which way is the correct approach. On the off chance that he leaves now, what great would that do? Crito focuses on how that will prompt repercussions with his young and companions, yet Socrates isn 't sure anymore and is overwhelmed. Rather he turns the inquiry around, asking in what capacity will it be any better that he flees abandoning them with an imaginable more regrettable destiny. They will in any case grow up without him and may find him unworthy for his defiance toward the law.