CRITO
Plato

In Plato's dialogue, Crito, Socrates is in prison with only a short time to live before he is put to death by the city of Athens.  He is visited by his dear friend, Crito, who tries to persuade Socrates to flee from prison while he has the chance.   What we have in this dialogue is another wonderful illustration of the Socratic method in action.  Socrates is willing to escape, provided that Crito can present him with solid arguments in support of such behavior.  After Crito's "arguments" are demonstrated to be inadequate, Socrates comes up with his own series of arguments supporting the idea that he should remain in prison and await his fate.  ​

CRITO

As you read, be sure that you are able to answer the following questions:   

1. Where does the dialogue open?  What is Socrates waiting for?  Why does Crito come to visit him?  
2. What "arguments" does Crito give to support the idea that Socrates should escape from prison? 
3. What does Socrates means when he says that the opinions of the many are irrelevant to how one ought to behave?  Whose opinions does he think are, in fact, relevant?  
4. What is Socrates' convictions concerning doing wrong to others or returning one wrong for another?  
5. What specific arguments does Socrates give in justifying his position to obey the law that has sentenced him to death?  
6. How does the dialogue end?  What does Socrates decide to do?  ​

Select one of the following question to reflect upon after having gone through all of the above steps:

1. In the Crito, Socrates states his principle that, “One should never intentionally do wrong or return one wrong with another." Do you agree or disagree with this principle.  Explain. 
2. Socrates argues that, even though he has been treated unjustly by the city of Athens--a claim that would seem to be true--he still has an obligation to follow the laws of Athens.  When do you think it is legitimate--if ever--to violate the laws of one's society?
3. Socrates makes the analogy that the state is like one's parent or teaching and, therefore, that we owe the state obedience?  What do you make of this analogy? Is it legitimate or not?

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