Summary Of Crito By Plato

Summary

In *Crito* by Plato, Socrates, sentenced to death by the Athenian court, discusses justice and moral duty with his friend Crito, who urges him to escape. Socrates argues that one must remain loyal to the state, even in the face of an unjust sentence, as escaping would be morally wrong. Through a logical argument, Socrates stresses the importance of abiding by the law, even when it leads to personal harm. Ultimately, Socrates chooses to face death rather than break his principles, reaffirming his belief in divine justice and the importance of moral consistency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Socrates is sentenced to death for impiety and corrupting the youth, awaiting execution while a religious festival delays his death.
• 😀 Crito visits Socrates in jail and urges him to escape before the execution, fearing for his life and the embarrassment it would cause.
• 😀 Socrates initially disagrees with Crito's plan, believing he still has time to live, but the conversation shifts to deeper philosophical questions.
• 😀 Socrates criticizes Crito for caring about public opinion, arguing that doing so is irrelevant to making morally correct decisions.
• 😀 Socrates argues that escaping would be wrong because it would be a violation of the social contract citizens have with the state.
• 😀 According to Socrates, citizens owe loyalty to the state in exchange for the benefits it provides, and they should follow its laws even when they disagree with them.
• 😀 Socrates presents a three-part argument for why breaking the law is immoral: 1) Citizens owe the state for its benefits, 2) Citizens can attempt to change laws, 3) Citizens can leave the state if they disagree with it.
• 😀 Socrates believes that breaking the law would send a message that he is willing to act unjustly, damaging his moral integrity and reputation.
• 😀 Socrates also reasons that by dying in Athens, his family will be cared for by his friends, but if he flees, he cannot ensure their welfare elsewhere.
• 😀 In the end, Socrates decides to face death rather than compromise his moral principles, emphasizing alignment with divine justice and ethical integrity.
• 😀 Crito reluctantly accepts Socrates' argument, although he does not fully agree, and the conversation concludes with Socrates' calm acceptance of his fate.

Q & A

Why was Socrates sentenced to death in Athens?

Socrates was sentenced to death for impiety (disrespecting the gods) and corrupting the youth by influencing them to question traditional values and beliefs.

What is the significance of the timing of Socrates' execution?

Socrates' execution could not take place until after a nearby religious festival, which created uncertainty about when exactly it would happen. This time delay is important because it gives Socrates the opportunity to engage in discussions about his fate, such as the one with Crito.

What is Crito's argument for why Socrates should escape from jail?

Crito argues that Socrates should escape to avoid death, emphasizing the consequences for Socrates' friends and family, who would suffer if he were to die. He also pressures Socrates by suggesting that people would think badly of them if they didn't try to save him.

How does Socrates respond to Crito's plea to escape?

Socrates rejects Crito's arguments, stating that what people think of him is irrelevant, especially if their views are based on a misunderstanding of morality. He insists that escaping would be morally wrong and would violate his agreement with the state.

What philosophical stance does Socrates take regarding his relationship with the state?

Socrates believes that as a citizen, he has a moral obligation to obey the laws of the state, even when they are unjust. He argues that the social contract between the individual and the state requires citizens to uphold the law, even if they disagree with specific decisions.

What are the three key points Socrates makes to justify his loyalty to the state?

Socrates argues that citizens owe the state for the benefits it provides, have the right to persuade the state to change its laws, and can leave the state if they disagree with its laws. He believes that breaking the law would be a form of injustice.

How does Socrates view the concept of retaliation in the context of his impending death?

Socrates argues that retaliation—doing wrong in response to being wronged—is still morally wrong. Escaping would be a form of retaliation against the state’s decision, which would violate his principles of justice.

Why does Socrates believe escaping would harm his reputation?

Socrates believes that escaping would make him appear untrustworthy, showing that he is willing to break the law when it suits him. He thinks any city with good laws would view him with suspicion, and in a bad city, he would be forced to live among corrupt politics.

What does Socrates believe would happen to his family if he dies in Athens?

Socrates believes that if he dies in Athens, his friends will take care of his family. However, if he were to escape and die elsewhere, he would not be able to provide for them or ensure their well-being.

What is Socrates' reasoning behind accepting his death sentence?

Socrates accepts his death sentence because he believes that breaking the law for personal benefit would contradict his moral principles. He is confident that his actions are aligned with divine justice and that his soul will be at peace by following his beliefs.