Crito: The Greek Philosopher Socrates

Personal Philosophy There is a very common human feeling of existential angst, which stems from the fact that we are creatures of meaning, creatures of purpose. We want to feel like there is a destiny to our lives, like there is a reason for why we are here. Physics has tried for a long time to define our reality, but there is a point when physics enters the realm of tautology and nonsense because of the circular nature of the task which it attempts — to study electrons with instruments which are, after all, electrons themselves. Therefore, reality is in some way odd; and the very fact of not being able to know them makes them all that stranger. Electrons, energy, existence, consciousness, or “Reality” are in some way odd. It is the very fact

In the “Crito,” Socrates chooses not to escape prison because he has chosen a standard for justice. He argues that the system itself which prosecuted him was not unjust. Although the verdict was wrong and he was charged with something he didn’t do, his belief was that the trial in itself was not corrupt and held justly and fairly, the legal process was procedurally just and fair, even if it was the wrong sentence. He chooses to stay in jail and accept his sentence, as he puts it “And, so one should not repay an injustice with an injustice, as the many think, since one should never act unjustly.”(Plato) Socrates is following an objective truth, not his philosophy, but a philosophy that follows truth and justice. Had Crito managed to argue reasonably against the form of “Justice” that Socrates followed, he would have been quick to bribe the guard and leave Athens before dawn. Socrates ultimately argues for the reality of Justice, and as long as the laws of the land cohered to that reality, he too would abide to these laws. Socrates admirably argues for the idea of Justice, and given no counter argument by Crito, he chooses to stay in jail and face death. He surrenders himself to the values that he chose to uphold and allows the “river of life” to finally take him over the edge to face death with courage and an undeniable authenticity to who he chose to