The Crito by Plato is a dialogic scene in which Socrates’ good friend Crito attempts to convince Socrates to escape prison after being sentenced to death for atheism and the corruption of youth in Athens. There are numerous reasons and points for Socrates survival including the wellness of his children, the spread of his knowledge, and the injustice of the situation. The major reason given to Socrates is reputation: should Socrates decide to stay, he will ruin the reputation of both himself and Crito who as a loyal friend is expected to protect Socrates.
Socrates believes that we should not care for the opinion of the masses. An example is given of a gymnastics student who according to Socrates should “live and train, eat and drink in the way which seems good to his single teacher who has understanding, rather than according to the opinion of all other men put together.” I disagree because the student should combine knowledge learned from his trainer with observations and experience, other trainers, his family and friends. He must then form his own knowledge which will lead to his own personal beliefs. The same is true for a patient and his doctor. A doctor may prescribe necessary medicines that are accompanied by consequences (side-affects). The patient reaches the best decision by analyzing all aspects. A psychiatrist’s patient will take medication because it is prescribed rather than seeking healthier solutions and can end up being harmed with time. Therefore, a man does not have to follow the regards of neither one man or a group of men but can chose to do so. He musts analyze the opinions of all, his own experience along with every aspect of a subject before he can conclude what is best. A man must use the same techniques to decide between just and unjust. He must not follow a single or group of other men but analyze and decide through his own experience which is correct in his beliefs. If Socrates knew he is not an atheist and he did not corrupt the youth, he should’ve known his death sentence was unjust.
Socrates believed all other reasons given are only opinions of the many but instead they are people and ideas that are loved by him and should be shown appreciation through his escape. His decision to accept death left his children and wife poor and alone without means of support. He has caused their struggle and refers to it as if they will have no problems learning to care for themselves. Children need sufficient support from parents in order to learn to take care of themselves. Socrates has cut their source of support short, making it more difficult than he expected. Even if he saw no need to survive for his children, he should’ve considered his love for philosophy which seems to exceed the love for his family. After death, he could no longer encourage the masses to look into their souls and care for it more than the materialistic world. If he had chosen to stay alive, Socrates could’ve changed the selfish lifestyles within several states into pure living souls who seek virtue and moral values. If he loved his family and his beliefs, he should’ve kept himself alive to help them grow.
The need for Socrates to defend injustice, protect his family, and continue to spread his beliefs in attempt to change a corrupt society has no measures. Therefore, Socrates should have done all that was necessary to fight the injustice of his sentence and stay alive by bribing the prison guards even if it contradicted his values. They would’ve learned in the long run with the rest of society that materials are not important. But they should’ve been bribed in the meantime for the purpose of Socrates survival.
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