To what extent should Socrates himself be held to be responsible for his own death?
During the days before and after Socrates’ trial, there was a multitude of options to avoid the ultimate punishment for most, death. Socrates was denied options that were on all sides of the spectrum, from an average request to a devious escape. Socrates was never one to know when he has spoken too much, which could also attribute to his death.
In 399 B.C, the Persians had attacked Athens and the Athenian gods denied help for the Athenians. The Athenians denied that they had lost a battle tremendously and tried to place the blame on someone that had ‘lack of respect for the gods’ or had put them to shame, and of course, the first person the Athenians put to blame was Socrates. Socrates was used as a scapegoat for the Athenian government to prove to the citizens that it wasn’t their fault for getting beaten by the Persians by poor strategy and getting blindsided, rather that it was Socrates lack of respect of the gods that caused the Athenians to get attacked by the Persians. With all of this happening, wealthy
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One of Socrates’ friends, Crito, did not take the concept of his teacher being sentenced to death well, and attempted to take measures into his own hands. Whilst Crito was visiting Socrates during the day, he proposed that he would break Socrates out of prison and they would run away. Socrates did not take this lightly as he angrily told Crito that escaping was not morally correct, and was perplexed that Crito said, “Not escaping would be an unjust thing to do”. This was followed by Socrates reassuring Crito that escaping would corrupt the soul; life goes on for a coupe of years but the soul lasts for an eternity. This furthered the decreased Socrates choices to not be killed, but Socrates did not want that, he wanted whatever was
When he is questioned why he doesn’t want to attempt to escape his death, he states that he feels it is unjust to escape. Socrates did what he believed his job was, which was to enlighten the youth to the unjust ways of society. While the way he was punished for it was unjust, Socrates stated that he has lived a happy life, and if he can’t rightly persuade the Laws of Athens to change its mind and let him go, then he can accept that.
...st of his life. Then when Socrates pass away, he will be harshly judged in the afterlife for behaving in an unjust manner towards his state’s laws. Thus, this is why he will not try to escape and based on his reasoning Crito has been convinced that it would be better for Socrates not attempt an escape.
Socrates lived such a private life that it lead to the most important revelation of his entire life. He would go about his life doing nothing but self-examination. In examining his life so strenuously others would come to him to be taught, or to have their children be taught by Socrates. They would offer him money and he would refuse. They would do whatever they could to learn anything Socrates had to teach. What they did not know is that Socrates was not teaching anyone he was simply going about his usual life and people just happened to learn from it. This was also why Socrates was put on trial. He was brought up on two charges, one of impiety and the other of corrupting the youth. These two charges set the course for the last month of his life.
...uments are completely different. Crito wants Socrates to escape because he doesn’t deserve to die because he did nothing wrong. Socrates argues back that if he escapes he will be breaking the law. Which is the thing that he is trying to uphold. Socrates believes that escaping will go against all the things he has been arguing and teaching the youth.
In the retelling of his trial by his associate, Plato, entitled “The Apology”; Socrates claims in his defense that he only wishes to do good for the polis. I believe that Socrates was innocent of the accusations that were made against him, but he possessed contempt for the court and displayed that in his conceitedness and these actions led to his death.
In Plato’s “Crito”, Socrates, who is convicted of spreading false beliefs to the youth in Athens is in an argument with his friend, Crito. Crito tries to convince Socrates of the reality of his sentence and that it would only make sense for him to escape. He gives many reasons of why escaping is necessary and moral. Crito states,
Socrates had a few reasons for accepting his punishments and not escaping the death sentence that he was handed. In hopes to convince Socrates to escape prison, his friend Crito visited him in prison before he was put to death. Crito initially began pleading with Socrates to escape because he did not want to lose a friend and he was afraid that people would think that he...
He applies this logic to mean that he must go around Athens and show others that they are not actually wise, so that they can become intelligent like him. As a result, he feels he is helping the society of Athens as a whole. By a small number, Socrates is found guilty and the jury comes to a decision to put Socrates to death. To further his display of haughty behavior Socrates’ response is to say in a mostly joking manner that the city should be giving him a medal of honor. He continues on to reject exile and prison time, suggesting that he pay a fine. Socrates’ reaction is unlike what is to be expected. He believes that it is ridiculous to fear the after-life because it does not make sense to fear things he does not know (29c). When given a chance to defend himself Socrates doesn’t cry, beg, or bring family matters into the courtroom, thinking it better to die after an honorable defense than live on against his own
Socrates concern that breaking the law would make law ineffectual is a valid one, but Crito would argue a more global perspective on Socrates' escaping: what are the net effects of Socrates accepting his death sentence? It would be a misfortune for all his friends, any people that benefit from his teaching, and he would be leaving his sons prematurely (Crito, 44c). Though Crito doesn't develop this point further, it could be easily extended: no one “be...
In the book The Last Days of Socrates, Plato describes Socrates reaction to the court’s decision of condemning him to death and how he spent his last few days awaiting death. Throughout the entire court and while Socrates is in prison waiting to be executed, he stays strong on his principles and beliefs. Socrates fights for morality and justice in court and does not accept to do any immoral act to save his life. The reason Socrates was brought to court is because he was spreading his moral lesson amongst the youth. Socrates basically sacrificed his life for morality and principle which is something not many individuals are willing to do, and it requires a lot of courage and strength.
Imagine the time just after the death of Socrates. The people of Athens were filled with questions about the final judgment of this well-known, long-time citizen of Athens. Socrates was accused at the end of his life of impiety and corruption of youth. Rumors, prejudices, and questions flew about the town. Plato experienced this situation when Socrates, his teacher and friend, accepted the ruling of death from an Athenian court. In The Last Days of Socrates, Plato uses Socrates’ own voice to explain the reasons that Socrates, though innocent in Plato’s view, was convicted and why Socrates did not escape his punishment as offered by the court. The writings, “Euthyphro,” “The Apology,” “Crito,” and “Pheado” not only helped the general population of Athens and the friends and followers of Socrates understand his death, but also showed Socrates in the best possible light. They are connected by their common theme of a memoriam to Socrates and the discussion of virtues. By studying these texts, researchers can see into the culture of Athens, but most important are the discussions about relationships in the book. The relationships between the religion and state and individual and society have impacted the past and are still concerns that are with us today.
Throughout the reading of Crito, it is quite evident that Socrates has fully accepted the execution and is not afraid of death. While Crito argues that Socrates cannot give in to death so easily and is worried about what opinions may be had at the expense of Socrates going straight to the execution; Socrates reminds Crito that the opinions of others should not matter. Crito is quick to point out that they have many friends that can help Socrates out and take him in. Crito is worried that people will form opinions of him regarding him caring more for his money than his friend.
The second argument that supports Socrates decision to stay in prison is that of the repercussions to the city of Athens. If Socrates escaped, the Athens city together with its fabric, laws, would be annihilated. By the extension, destruction of the Athens’ city equally destroyed the lives of people of Athens. Socrates argues that harming others is similar to harming ones soul because such an act constituted an unjust act. Therefore, it was a wiser decision to meet death rather than escape.
In the reading, it explains that Socrates is wealthy, educated, has a high status and honored, but Socrates believes all of it is worthless, harmful and damaging to the soul. The soul is all that matters because it is eternal. When he was on death row, he didn’t really fight to save his life. He knows his potential and is refusing to take control and live up to it. He truly doesn't care whether he dies and is willing to throw hi...
Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher. “He is credited with laying the fundamentals of modern Western philosophy. He is known for creating Socratic irony and the Socratic Method (elenchus). He is best recognized for inventing the teaching practice of pedagogy, wherein a teacher questions a student in a manner that draws out the correct response” (Ancient Greece). Socrates was sentenced to death for refusing to obey the orders of the Athenian government to refrain from discussing philosophical questions with young. The government was afraid that Socrates would turn the youth against them. Socrates refused and, as a consequence, he was condemned to death. While in prison Socrates closet friend, Crito came to break Socrates out. Socrates