The dialogue of The Crito, by Plato, recounts the last days of Socrates, immediately before his execution was going to take place in Athens. In the dialogue, Socrates' friend, Crito, proposes that Socrates escape from prison. Socrates considers this proposal, trying to decide if escaping would be "just" and "morally" justified. Socrates argues against his escape by relating the regulations of the state to the duties of citizens within the state. Socrates sees his execution as a justified because he thinks that he will be performing an unjust action to the state, himself, as well as his followers by escaping. Crito sees Socrates execution as unjust because of a few reasons, but most of all because Socrates has been imprisoned unjustly thus making his escape seem just. In this essay I will compare both arguments as well as give my beliefs as to why I think Socrates' decision was the best decision.
Crito begins by giving 3 main reasons as to why Socrates should not escape. First both Socrates and his friends will be severly criticized if he does escape. He thinks that they
Socrates demonstrated his true character in The Crito. He calmly and logically offered his own "moral point of view" into his decision to remain in custody, and await his execution. The Crito illustrates the importance of the individual within the state, and despite Crito's pleas the words of Crito began to fall on deaf ears as Socrates is content to follow the paths in which he feels God has intended for him.
Socrates on the other hand feels that by escaping from prison it would be a violation of the law of the land and would clearly imply that Socrates is an enemy to that which makes an orderly society. Socrates feels that the Athenian society has given him so much and because of that fact he has a moral responsibility to accept the penalty of the law. He has dedicated his life and service to the Athenian society. He thinks it is his duty to obey his punishment whether his death sentence is a just or unjust penalty. Socrates beleives that if he escapes the outcome of his actions will somehow modify the people's loyalty to the laws and how they are adhered to now and i
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