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Debating Justice and Ethics: Socrates' Dilemma in Plato's Crito

Explore the philosophical dialogue in Plato's Crito where Socrates debates escaping prison, weighing moral and societal obligations. Discover Socrates' views on law, justice, public opinion, and moral integrity in this enlightening and thought-provoking text. Dive into ethical arguments on citizenship, loyalty, and the value of abiding by societal laws. Unravel Socrates' reasoning and deep reflections on the essence of justice, showcasing the complexity of ethical decision-making in challenging circumstances.

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Debating Justice and Ethics: Socrates' Dilemma in Plato's Crito

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  1. Political Thinking POL 161Crito Erik Rankin – Fall 07

  2. Crito - Plato • Where does this dialogue take place? • What is Socrates doing? • Who shows up? • What does he tell Socrates his plan is? • How does Socrates respond to this news?

  3. Crito - Plato • How does Crito take this news? • Crito begins to argue (practical, ethical) • What does Crito say will happen to Socrates friends if he is allowed to die? • Risk of financial cost? • Crito presses two more important arguments • What are they?

  4. Crito - Plato • If Socrates stays he will be aiding his enemies • How? • What would this make Socrates? • Crito gets cheap and appeals to Socrates paternal instincts, how? • Crito has said his peace and it is Socrates turn to refute!

  5. Crito - Plato • How does Socrates respond to the worry of public opinion? • Should they worry about what others think? • Socrates talks about the “part of us” that is harmed by unjust actions & benefited by just actions • What is this “part of us”? • He does say that this “part of us” is the most valuable and that life is not worth living if it is injured • Who should we listen to?

  6. Crito - Plato • As far as justice goes, we should also ignore public opinion, but pay attention to who? • Crito says that even though the public may be ignorant, they still have power, how? • How does Socrates respond to that statement? • What is Socrates really concerned with? • Would an escape be honorable? • Socrates will only escape if it is just? The burden is to show how escape would be just

  7. Crito - Plato • Socrates then goes on about the Laws of Athens • his reasoning for why it would be unjust to escape • Laws exist as a whole, to break one breaks all • Citizen is bound to laws like a child to a parent • Going against a law is like striking a parent • Laws suggest that the tie to country is stronger than family • How important is it then to respect laws of the country?

  8. Crito - Plato • He uses the battle analogy, what is that? • If Socrates wants to avoid execution he must find the Laws to punish him unjustly, does he? • Fleeing would do what to the laws? • Laws as social contract • Choosing to live in Athens, endorses the Laws • If Socrates fled it would break the contract and make him actually guilty • Socrates has never left Athens, why?

  9. Crito - Plato • Socrates feels that if he left he would be an outlaw • He would not just pay for that crime here, but where? • Why is this statement odd, given Meletus condemnation of Socrates? • Socrates convinces Crito that it would be better not to escape

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