Throughout his work, Plato has portrayed Socrates as a distinct figure in Athenian society. Moving along the readings, especially Crito, we’re able to break down the different reasonings behind Socrates’ perspective and analyze the true intent of his wisdom. As Socrates progresses throughout various scenarios in each of the readings, he withstands the opinions of those who prod against his beliefs. Whether it be the general public or his friends, he stays grounded to his ideals and chases only what is morally right in his decisions.
In a society where the wise men were supposedly highly looked upon and respected, Socrates maintains a stagnant character when interacting with such individuals. He often challenges these philosophers and requires a deeper, conceptual line of reasoning to convince him. This is portrayed during his interaction with Euthyphro, in which all five of the counterarguments he gives Socrates fails to satisfy. After each premise presented, Socrates parried away with back to back questions that left Euthyphro vulnerable. He could only reply with, “You are right. Certainly. It seems likely. I am afraid so,” (Euthyphro, 9). From the initial offset of the conversation, Socrates might sometimes exemplify as an ignorant or arrogant listener.
Socrates retorts to Euthyphro, “Now, however, if you, who have full knowledge of such things, share their opinions, then we must agree with them, too, it would seem. For what are we to say, we who agree that we ourselves have no knowledge of them? Tell me, by the god of friendship, do you really believe these things are true?” (Euthyphro, 7). In truth, when you break down the reasoning behind each of Socrates’ dismissive responses for Euthyphro’s answers, there is a sense of understanding that comes into question. From the act of prosecuting the impious or pleasing the deities, the answers Euthyphro gives are vague and just simply not enough to fully dissect the definition of piety. According to Socrates’ logic, in order for a conclusion to be true, the initial premises presented must also be true. If any of the premises are proven to be false, that would contradict the entire statement’s line of reasoning.
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However, Euthyphro himself isn’t vulnerable to anything that he doesn’t understand. In fact, he even admits to Socrates that he doesn’t truly know the breakdown of piety and just wants some plausible reasoning for what it means rather than a list of endless, redundant examples. This trait is important and valuable to Socrates’ role in the plot, as it keeps him grounded to his beliefs and the honesty in his perception of what’s moral.
In Crito, Socrates finds himself in a cell awaiting his execution after being found guilty of corruption in an unjust Athenian trial. While imprisoned, his friend Crito visits him with a proposal. He tells Socrates that plans have been made in order for Socrates to escape and that he must leave soon in order to proceed. However, Socrates doesn’t seem bothered by the proposition of death and declines the proposal.
Shocked and confused, Crito gives reasoning that his refusal would result in a pang of guilt and widespread liability for not only Crito himself, but also a majority of his friends. By having the resources and position to help their friend but not providing enough effort, they would in turn be in the wrong. He even assures Socrates that by escaping, he would be taken care of financially and even live a comfortable life in exile.
Socrates responds by questioning the legitimacy of trusting the morality in the “majority”. “My good Crito, why should we care so much for what the majority think? Would that the majority could inflict the greatest evils, for they would then be capable of the greatest good, and that would be fine, but now they cannot do either. They cannot make a man either wise or foolish, but they inflict things haphazardly,” (Crito, 47). He emphasizes that the decisions of popular opinion shouldn’t be an excuse to choose one’s own fate. Rather, the basis of what makes one’s moral choices ethical should be based off what they themselves feel is virtuous.
An example of this in which I could relate is when I feel sick but my friends all tell me I look fine and should be healthy. But after visiting the doctor and being diagnosed, where would the truth lie? By listening to the greater majority and ignoring my symptoms, I’d be choosing the wrong approach towards my health. In turn, Socrates’ decision is one built off rational reflection rather than that of the favored opinion.
Crito argues that allowing his life to go astray wouldn’t be just. It would be an insult to not only himself but those who cared for him by taking the easy way out. He accuses Socrates of exemplifying cowardice and persuades him that such a choice would result in no good outcome for any party involved. Socrates’ decision would also mean abandoning his sons and result in them becoming orphans. The duty of a parent is to nurture and be by their children’s side to the end. Leaving them to cope on their own would be just as immoral and promiscuous in itself.
Furthermore, Socrates had been wrongly prosecuted. Crito makes the claim that escaping prison manifests no means of acting immoral, as the court hadn’t been just itself in handling the trial, let alone condemning Socrates to death.
But Socrates still remains grounded on his conscience of what he thinks is moral. His explanation is that he is a man of the law. And while the trial he faced might have been unjustly decided, the process in which he was prosecuted was. By undergoing a legal procedure, he was lawfully condemned to his punishment by the city of Athens. He makes the claim that by becoming a citizen of Athens and member of the society, those benefiting from the state must also comply with the negative repercussions that come with breaking such rules. As a result, his compliance with the law meant he could not bring himself to commit such a morally unjust act.
Additionally, Socrates emphasizes that he could have indeed left Athens and gone to any other city throughout his life. But it was his love for the Democracy in which the city was run that compelled him to stay. “Have we at our age failed to notice for some time that in our serious discussions we were no different from children? Above all, is the truth such as we used to say it was, whether the majority agree or not…” (Crito, 52).
Like the duty of parents to their children as Crito had pointed out, Socrates retorts with the example that becoming a member of the Athenian society came the duty of living off the threshold of the law.
“And let this be the basis of our deliberation, that neither to do wrong nor to return a wrong is ever correct, nor is doing harm in return for harm done,” (Critos, 52). With this in mind, Socrates saw no reasoning for why an escape would be justified. By doing so, he would also be demoralizing the basis of the law, something that would be much less forgiving. The saying, two wrongs don’t make a right is nevertheless emphasized heavily here. For example, if someone steals a dollar from me and I steal another back, that doesn’t make my case any more just. Even though financially I would be recuperated. Additionally, someone else would have to suffer from the outcome of my loss.
Lastly, by choosing to escape such fate, Socrates would be putting many more people at risk of harm at the cost of his life. Not only would the reputation of his family be tarnished, but the lives of his friends, Crito included, would be at risk of exile. As for the nearby cities, Thebes and Megara, they would be viewed in as much disdain there as Athens based off the fact that these were civilizations that were also governed upon laws.
Ultimately, the brute honesty of Socrates’ intentions, dismissal of popular belief, and respect for the laws of Athens among other factors contributed to the embodiment of Socrates’ decision. By following upon the foundation of his virtues and character, he was able to rationalize his choices and accept the most logical fate that the “Gods” had in store for him. Based off his philosophical teachings and perspective, today we are able to break down the Socratic method and truly analyze the fundamentals of morality that we continue to contribute and practice in our daily lives today.
