Crito & Legal Obligation.
Omar Alli
11/3/11
Socrates has been accused of debasing the youth by Meletus and also creating new Gods, while non recognizing the old Gods. Socrates is eventually convicted of these crimes and sentenced to death. While at the state prison awaiting his execution, Socrates is approached by his friend Crito who has come in an attempt to win over Socrates to play with him to avoid his execution. Crito puts forth many arguments to why Socrates should escape with him, however after engaging in a talks with Socrates, Socrates shoots down all of Critos arguments. His main rebuttal to Crito was the legal cartel that he has to the laws of Athens. Socrates does this by personifying the law of Athens as a person, and thus by escaping he would be wronging the laws of Athens which would be unjust. While Socrates arguments about legal obligation has validity to it, I believe there are limits to it and it is not absolute.
Crito has three main arguments as to why Socrates should escape with him. The first argument is if Socrates doesnt escape, not only will Crito lose Socrates friendship, but no superstar else would believe that it was Socrates own decision to not escape.
The prevailing consensus would be that Crito didnt want to pay the money for Socrates freedom and that would be his reputation. Crito explains these when he says to Socrates Ill have this great additional problem, that a great many people who dont know you and me very well will appreciate that I let you down, saying that I could have saved you if I had been willing to spend the money; and what could be to a greater extent shameful than to come a name for thinking more of money than of your friends? (Page 81 Line 44c)
Critos second argument is that by not escaping, Socrates looks as if he is reaffirming the courts guilty verdict, as no innocent man would allow himself to be executed for a crime that he did not commit. Crito tries to convince Socrates that he...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com
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