Apology versus Crito Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Socrates regards philosophy not a pass time but as a way of life and his purpose is using his information honesty by avoiding untruthfulness. The people of Athens are weak and therefore punish Socrates rather than looking for there own faults within, they dismiss Socrates views that call for self analysis because they find it easier to live in ignorance rather examining their lives fully. Socrates is a humble and honest man as he believes in self correctness rather than correcting others. He lives an honest life and prefers dying instead of living an untruthful life; he gets executed wrongly by the state for the crime he did not commit. The Athenians warn him that if Socrates is â€Å"caught philosophizing he would die† (Apology). But he remains firm in his decision and goes against obeying the state laws. He faces death courageously without fright as according to him all great men should happily accept death fearlessly. Plato’s â€Å"Crito† is a dialogue between Socrates and his friend â€Å"Crito† who convinces him to escape the prison, the talk between Socrates and his friend takes place in the prison where Socrates waits to be executed. We will write a custom essay sample on Apology versus Crito or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Crito has made many persuasive statements to get him out of the prison but Socrates is determined and not convinced at all by the remarks made by his friend. Crito tries to put forth many arguments to make Socrates agree, for example, he says that staying in jail would mar his reputation as a philosopher because people would think of his friend as disloyal and insincere if they did not offer any help, Crito also promises Socrates to making best possible arrangements in â€Å"Thebes† (Crito) where he would live peacefully in exile, furthermore he assures maximum financial help to him too. Crito further goes to say that by accepting execution Socrates will strengthen his enemies even more who are unjust to him and that he will also hurt his family by depriving Socrates three sons of a father. But Socrates is not influenced by the strong statements made by his friend Crito, and he tells him that one should not worry about people’s thinking and follow what is just. He says that he is willing to escape with Crito if his freedom is not against the laws of Athens. The laws of Athens demand Socrates to obey, to go against the laws is like striking a parent as the citizens are like a child who are meant to obey their parents, so it would be damaging for the society and will have a bad impact on its people, Socrates is of the opinion that instead of breaking the law by escaping he should persuade the state laws to set him free.