Plato's Crito: Socrates' 3 Rules for Ethical Thinking

Depth & Divinity

1 Feb 202005:54

Summary

TLDRThis philosophical discourse explores Socrates' approach to ethical reasoning through his defense of his own death as depicted in Plato's 'Crito'. It examines three key rules of Socratic reasoning: the importance of rational thought over emotions, the need for independent judgment rather than public opinion, and the moral imperative to do what is right regardless of personal consequences. The video challenges viewers to consider these principles, inviting them to reflect on their own ethical decision-making and to experiment with applying Socratic rules in their daily lives.

Takeaways

🧠 Socrates defended his choice to die rather than escape as detailed in Plato's 'Crito'.
🧩 The approach to reasoning Socrates used focused on ethical reasoning.
🔍 Ethical reasoning involves examining assumptions and justifications.
📜 William F. Riken identifies three rules in Socrates' reasoning about his death.
💡 Rule 1: Decisions should not be driven by emotions but by the best reasoning.
🤔 Rule 2: Answers should not be based on general public opinion but on personal critical thinking.
⚖️ Rule 3: One should never do what is morally wrong; the primary question is whether an action is right or wrong.
🔥 Emotionally-driven thinking can cloud moral judgment.
🗣 Socrates argued that public opinion should not influence moral decisions; only informed and skilled individuals' opinions should be considered.
🧪 Applying these rules can involve experimenting in daily life to see how reasoning based on these principles affects ethical decision-making.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is Socrates' approach to reasoning about his own death, as detailed in Plato's 'Crito,' and how this approach can help us think ethically.
What are the three rules of reasoning that William Free Kena identifies in Socrates' argument about his death?
-The three rules are: 1) We must not let our decision be determined by emotions but must examine the question and follow the best reasoning. 2) We cannot answer such questions by appealing to what people generally think; they might be wrong. We must find an answer ourselves that we regard as correct. 3) We ought never to do what is morally wrong; the only question we need to answer is whether what is proposed is right or wrong.
Why does rule one, which states we should not let our decisions be determined by emotions, make intuitive sense?
-Rule one makes intuitive sense because emotionally-driven thinking can cloud our ability to arrive at moral truth. For example, if emotionally heated, one might justify as moral something that is actually immoral, like lying to someone who has wronged you.
What is the potential objection to rule one regarding the role of emotions in moral decisions?
-The potential objection is whether some moral decisions are best made by letting gut feelings or intuitions rule rather than pure reason. Philosopher Michael J. Sigrist argues that ethical decision-making involves personal reasoning, which includes thinking with our feelings, desires, motivations, and values.
What is Socrates' response to Crito's argument that not escaping would damage Crito's public reputation?
-Socrates responds by arguing that we shouldn't care what people in general think about us when it comes to getting at moral truth. Instead, we should care about the opinions of those who fully understand the moral facts and can reach moral conclusions using those facts and general principles.
How does rule three suggest we approach moral decision-making?
-Rule three suggests that we should focus on whether an action is right or wrong, not on the consequences for us, what people will think about us, or how we will feel about the outcome. If something is morally wrong, we are morally obligated not to do it.
What are some historical examples that illustrate Socrates' point about ignoring public opinion in moral reasoning?
-The script does not provide specific historical examples, but an example might be civil rights leaders who acted based on what they believed was morally right, despite facing significant public opposition.
What does the video script suggest about the importance of evaluating our assumptions about ethical reasoning?
-The script suggests that bringing assumptions about ethical reasoning to light allows us to see whether they can be justified and helps us better reason ethically in various situations.
How might Socrates' commitment to rules one, two, and three influence our own ethical reasoning?
-Socrates' commitment to these rules might lead us to prioritize reason over emotion, think independently rather than follow popular opinion, and focus on the morality of actions themselves rather than their consequences.
What is the script's challenge to viewers regarding experimenting with ethical reasoning?
-The script challenges viewers to put themselves in Socrates' shoes and try reasoning like him as a test of a new way of reaching ethical conclusions. It encourages viewers to conduct 'experiments in living' by applying Socrates' rules the next time they face an ethical decision.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 Socrates' Unique Defense of His Own Death

Socrates, as depicted in Plato's 'Crito,' defends his decision to face death rather than escape it. This approach, which may seem odd, helps us understand ethical reasoning. The video, part of the 'Exploring Ethics' series, emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions in ethical reasoning. Socrates follows three rules: decisions should be guided by reason, not emotions; public opinion should not dictate our moral choices; and we must avoid doing what is morally wrong, focusing on whether an action is right or wrong. These principles aim to enhance our ethical reasoning.

05:01

🤔 Evaluating Socrates' Ethical Reasoning Rules

The video examines the validity of Socrates' three ethical rules. Rule one suggests reason should guide decisions, but philosopher Michael J. Sigrist argues that emotions and personal reasoning play a crucial role in ethical decision-making. Socrates' second and third rules emphasize ignoring public opinion and focusing on moral truth, using the example of Crito's concern for public perception if Socrates doesn't escape. Socrates argues that moral truth is determined by those who understand moral facts, not by general opinion. The video invites viewers to consider these rules and their impact on ethical reasoning.

🔍 Applying Socrates' Rules in Ethical Reasoning

The final segment explores the practical application of Socrates' ethical rules. Viewers are encouraged to experiment with these rules in their own lives and report their findings. Questions are posed about the nature of ethical reasoning and how desire-driven reasoning might change under Socrates' rules. The video suggests conducting 'experiments in living,' as John Stuart Mill proposed, to test these ethical guidelines. Viewers are invited to share their experiences and continue engaging with philosophical thinking.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Socrates

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. In the video, Socrates' approach to reasoning about his own death is discussed, highlighting his commitment to ethical reasoning over emotional response. The script references his defense against death as detailed in Plato's 'Crito,' where he chooses to adhere to his philosophical principles rather than escape.

💡Ethical reasoning

Ethical reasoning is the process of thinking through moral decisions and actions. The video emphasizes the importance of ethical reasoning in understanding right from wrong. It suggests that assumptions about the best way to reason ethically should be evaluated, and Socrates' approach is used as an example to illustrate how ethical decisions can be made independent of emotional influences.

💡Plato's 'Crito'

'Crito' is one of Plato's dialogues that presents a philosophical discussion on the nature of law and justice, as well as personal integrity. In the video, it is mentioned as the source detailing Socrates' decision to face death rather than escape, despite the possibility of avoiding execution. This dialogue is pivotal in understanding Socrates' commitment to his ethical principles.

💡Emotions

Emotions are feelings that can influence decision-making. The video script suggests that Socrates believed decisions should not be driven by emotions but by reason. This is exemplified by the first rule identified in the video, which states that one must not let emotions determine decisions but should instead follow the best reasoning.

💡Reason

Reason is the capacity for rational thought and action. In the context of the video, reason is contrasted with emotion as the primary tool for ethical decision-making. Socrates' approach to reasoning about his death is highlighted as an example of using reason to determine moral actions, rather than succumbing to emotional responses.

💡Moral truth

Moral truth refers to the principles or facts that define what is right or wrong. The video discusses the idea that moral truth should be the guiding factor in ethical reasoning, rather than public opinion or personal feelings. Socrates' approach to his own death is presented as an example of seeking moral truth through reason.

💡Rules of reasoning

The video identifies three rules that govern Socrates' reasoning about his death. These rules emphasize the importance of independent thought, adherence to moral principles, and disregard for public opinion in ethical decision-making. The script uses these rules to illustrate how ethical reasoning can be conducted in a manner that is detached from emotional influences.

💡Public opinion

Public opinion is the collective view of a community on a particular issue. In the video, Socrates is shown as someone who disregards public opinion in his ethical reasoning. This is exemplified in the script where Socrates is urged to escape to avoid damaging his friend's reputation, but he chooses to follow his moral principles instead.

💡Moral obligation

Moral obligation is a sense of duty or responsibility to act in a way that is considered morally right. The video discusses the third rule identified in Socrates' reasoning, which asserts that one should never do what is morally wrong. This concept is central to understanding Socrates' decision to face death, as he sees it as a moral obligation.

💡Philosophical life

The philosophical life is a way of living that involves constant questioning and seeking of wisdom. The video script encourages viewers to engage in the philosophical life by thinking ethically and critically. This concept is used to frame the discussion on ethical reasoning and to inspire viewers to apply philosophical principles in their daily lives.

💡Experiment in living

An 'experiment in living' is a concept introduced by John Stuart Mill, suggesting that individuals should test their beliefs and values through practical application. The video script encourages viewers to apply Socrates' rules of reasoning in their own lives, effectively conducting an 'experiment in living' to test the validity of these ethical principles.

Highlights

Socrates mounted a defense for why he should die a horrible death, despite being able to escape it, as detailed in Plato's Credo.

Exploring Socrates' approach to reasoning about his own death can help us think ethically.

Ethical reasoning involves stating reasons why certain actions like stealing, lying, cheating, or hurting others are wrong.

William Free Kena identifies three rules governing Socrates' reasoning about his death.

Rule 1: Decisions should not be determined by emotions but by the best reasoning.

Rule 2: We cannot answer ethical questions by appealing to popular opinion; we must find answers we regard as correct.

Rule 3: We ought never to do what is morally wrong; the only question is whether an action is right or wrong, not the consequences.

Emotionally-driven thinking can cloud the ability to arrive at moral truth.

Historically, popular opinion has often been morally misguided or ignorant.

Critical and independent thinking is essential for making moral decisions.

Something morally wrong means one is morally obligated not to do that thing.

Socrates' commitment to rules 1, 2, and 3 can be objected by considering the role of emotions in ethical decisions.

Philosopher Michael J. Sigrist argues that ethical reasoning involves personal reasoning, including feelings, desires, and values.

Socrates argues that we shouldn't care about public opinion when determining moral truth.

Fear of what others think should not guide our moral decisions.

Applying rules 1, 2, and 3 can revise our understanding of ethical reasoning.

Conducting experiments in living, as suggested by John Stuart Mill, can help apply these rules in practical ethical decision-making.

The discussion encourages readers to test Socrates' approach in their own ethical reasoning and report back on their experiences.