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

Summary

This 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.