Analyzing Plato's Crito Dialogue
An Analysis of
Plato’s Crito dialogue by Kimara Wright
March 22, 2010
Philosophy 101
Ms. Joan Beno
Rm. 3357
Introduction
Regarded as the wisest man in Athens, Greece, Socrates (born around 470 b.c.) was just that. Wearing shabby clothing and always walking around barefoot, Socrates spent his days discussing everything you can imagine. Athens was full of philosophers (known as Sophists, who charged money for their so-called knowledge) who thought they knew everything, and charged for their teachings. He considered himself to be like a midwife, helping to deliver the ideas of others, and determine their truth. Socrates wrote nothing. He ironically claims to …show more content…
know nothing. However, he had followers. These followers believed he knew even more than the Sophists. He believed that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” He lived on through the dialogues of his famed pupil, Plato. Socrates was a very unique human being. In order to have a conversation with him, you must have a very open mind. He wanted to be instructed by others. He always sought out the truth. He believed that we all ought to search for truth. He believed that human excellence is knowledge; that all wrongdoing is due to ignorance; and that the most important thing is to care for your soul. He believed that these things were the only things he did know. He coined a motto for his own life and purpose. It was a phrase found on a cave in Delphi, “Know Thyself”. Socrates’ method of questions and answers ultimately got him into trouble. He was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens; and worshipping false gods. He was found guilty on both charges, and was sentenced to die. His accusers expected Socrates to beg for his life. He did not. He was given a chance to suggest a different punishment for himself. He made light of this by suggesting that he receive free meals. He simply refused to grovel. Plato wrote dialogues after the death of his beloved Socrates. The following paper will provide an analysis of one of those dialogues, Plato’s Crito; and conclude by discussing the importance of Socrates in Athenian Society.
Analysis
Plato’s Crito, an early dialogue, takes place just before the death of Socrates. Socrates has been in prison for a month, awaiting execution. A long-time and very dear friend, Crito, arrives at the prison very early. He finds his old friend, Socrates, soundly and peacefully asleep. This puzzles him, but he does not wake him. Socrates awakes to find his friend hovering over him, and asks why he did not wake him up. Crito explains to Socrates how surprised he is to find him sleeping so peacefully despite his impending death.
Crito explains to Socrates that he has come bringing bad news. The ship, he tells; will arrive soon, possibly, that day. They will then execute Socrates on the very next day. The ship, that makes annual religious missions, had gone out. Executions could not be carried out while the ship was away. Socrates tells Crito he does not believe the ship is coming when he thinks it will. He tells Crito of a dream he had the previous night.
He dreamed of a very beautiful woman, dressed in white. She approached Socrates in the dream, and told him his soul would find it’s home on the third day. He tells Crito how vivid this dream was, he would die the day after tomorrow. Crito lets Socrates know what a misfortune it would be for all; those who know him, as well as those who don’t; if he were to die. He goes on to tell him how irreplaceable he is. Crito offers to help Socrates escape the prison. He wants Socrates to escape into exile. Socrates is not willing to leave Athens. He loves Athens, and cannot imagine his life anywhere else. Crito is concerned about what the majority of people would think, knowing he had money, but was not willing to save Socrates. He is concerned that people would judge him, and not believe that Socrates wasn’t willing to escape prison, given the opportunity to do so. Socrates tells Crito that it is better not to believe the majority, but to pay more attention to reason.
Crito informs Socrates that he and others are willing to risk all they have to save him. He pleads with Socrates to accept his offer. He knows this is his very last chance to try and save his very dear friend.
He goes on to inform Socrates that if it is money he is concerned about, not to worry. Crito tells him that it would not be as much money as he thinks. He goes on and on telling Socrates of places he can go into exile to, places that would welcome him and keep him safe. Crito pleads with Socrates to accept his proposals to escape, but sees that Socrates is unmoved by his pleas. This upsets Crito. Here he is, giving Socrates his life back on a silver platter, and (as I can imagine) Socrates is shaking his head, saying “no”.
Crito, clearly upset, insinuates that Socrates is being irresponsible. He feels that Socrates is wrong to just lay there and let his life be taken away. He feels he is doing to his life what his enemies have done. Hastened it. Crito feels that Socrates is leaving his sons to a bad fate. He tells Socrates that he shouldn’t have had children at all if we wasn’t going to see them raised properly. He was mad! He accuses Socrates of taking the easiest way out, and challenges him to practice what he’s talked about for years.
Crito goes on and on about how he is ashamed Socrates was even brought to trial in the first place. He believed it was an evil thing, done not only to him but to all. Once again, Crito pleads for his friend to save his own life. Again, Socrates refused. I can imagine how upset Crito is right now.
Socrates tenderly talks to his friend. He reasons with him in his very own Socratic method. In this eleventh hour of his life, Socrates is examining what is right, what is wrong, in this situation. He asks Crito whether it is right to consider the opinions of many men, or the one who “understand justice and injustice, the one, that is, and the truth itself.” He tells Crito that they will examine whether it would be the right thing for him to escape the prison, even though he hadn’t been acquitted by the Athenians. He eloquently examines the argument given by Crito.
He proves to Crito that he is truly practicing what he’s talked about for years. He explains in his method of questions and answers, how it is not right to willingly do wrong, no matter the situation. Socrates explains to Crito that he must respect the laws of Athens. It was the laws that brought him up, educated him, and taught him what he knew. The laws have given opportunities for all. Socrates feels that if he did not like the laws of Athens, he should have left. It would be impious to disrespect the laws of Athens just because he felt he was wronged. Socrates loves Athens, and only to serve in the war, did he leave. Since Socrates returned to Athens after the war, he feels he should stick to the laws and not injure them.
Socrates feels he would be considered a joke to another city, he would not feel totally safe. He fears that his friends would be in jeopardy of exile. He fears that they would be an enemy to other governments, because they would be considered destroyers of laws.
Socrates also feels that breaking the laws would justify his conviction. Anyone who could destroy the laws could easily have done what he was convicted of doing. He doesn’t feel that breaking or destroying the laws of the city is civilized. Socrates feels he is being led by goodness, or God, to obey the laws. He feels his fate would be Hades if he fails to obey. The word in him is telling him not to let Crito persuade him into escaping. He feels he would be considered a joke, and not be taken seriously by any place he would go.
Socrates firmly lets Crito know that these are his beliefs; if he tried any further to convince him to escape, he would be wasting his time. Socrates gives his friend one last chance to speak. Crito concedes, realizing what Socrates is speaking is the truth.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, I’d like to express the importance of my analysis.
Socrates was deeply concerned about morality. It was important for him to find out what is just, what is true, and what is good. These things were a way of life for him. Because of his beliefs, he influenced the thoughts of those who came after him. Socrates loved Athens. He fought in wars. He protested in political matters. He believed that true happiness comes from leading a good life. The point of my work on the previous pages were to break down the conversation between Socrates and Crito; to give and get an understanding of the dialogue. It is wonderful to have the kind of friendship that Socrates and Crito had. One can only imagine being the same way as Crito was about his dear friend. Surely, if my very good friend were in trouble, I’d want to save them as well. Being a good friend, though, means respecting my friends’ decisions and thoughts of reason. Surely I imagined Crito being very upset at Socrates. I imagined him flailing his arms around trying to get Socrates to understand where he was coming from and escape! I probably would have tried to physically move my friend, as if the building was on fire. Socrates’ reason was his inner voice, it stopped him from doing selfish things. Yes, he knew he was wrongly convicted. For him to go against the laws would have been morally wrong. He felt that was much worse. The fact that Socrates died for his beliefs is an inspiration to me and possibly to anyone who dare come up against what is
just.
Work Cited
Melchert, Norman. The Great Conversation, A Historical Introduction to Philosophy,
Crito, Fifth Edition. New York: Oxford Press, 2007.
Acknowlegement
Thank you to Ms. Joan Beno for giving permission to use her sample thesis statement.
Plato’s Crito dialogue by Kimara Wright
March 22, 2010
Philosophy 101
Ms. Joan Beno
Rm. 3357
Introduction
Regarded as the wisest man in Athens, Greece, Socrates (born around 470 b.c.) was just that. Wearing shabby clothing and always walking around barefoot, Socrates spent his days discussing everything you can imagine. Athens was full of philosophers (known as Sophists, who charged money for their so-called knowledge) who thought they knew everything, and charged for their teachings. He considered himself to be like a midwife, helping to deliver the ideas of others, and determine their truth. Socrates wrote nothing. He ironically claims to …show more content…
know nothing. However, he had followers. These followers believed he knew even more than the Sophists. He believed that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” He lived on through the dialogues of his famed pupil, Plato. Socrates was a very unique human being. In order to have a conversation with him, you must have a very open mind. He wanted to be instructed by others. He always sought out the truth. He believed that we all ought to search for truth. He believed that human excellence is knowledge; that all wrongdoing is due to ignorance; and that the most important thing is to care for your soul. He believed that these things were the only things he did know. He coined a motto for his own life and purpose. It was a phrase found on a cave in Delphi, “Know Thyself”. Socrates’ method of questions and answers ultimately got him into trouble. He was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens; and worshipping false gods. He was found guilty on both charges, and was sentenced to die. His accusers expected Socrates to beg for his life. He did not. He was given a chance to suggest a different punishment for himself. He made light of this by suggesting that he receive free meals. He simply refused to grovel. Plato wrote dialogues after the death of his beloved Socrates. The following paper will provide an analysis of one of those dialogues, Plato’s Crito; and conclude by discussing the importance of Socrates in Athenian Society.
Analysis
Plato’s Crito, an early dialogue, takes place just before the death of Socrates. Socrates has been in prison for a month, awaiting execution. A long-time and very dear friend, Crito, arrives at the prison very early. He finds his old friend, Socrates, soundly and peacefully asleep. This puzzles him, but he does not wake him. Socrates awakes to find his friend hovering over him, and asks why he did not wake him up. Crito explains to Socrates how surprised he is to find him sleeping so peacefully despite his impending death.
Crito explains to Socrates that he has come bringing bad news. The ship, he tells; will arrive soon, possibly, that day. They will then execute Socrates on the very next day. The ship, that makes annual religious missions, had gone out. Executions could not be carried out while the ship was away. Socrates tells Crito he does not believe the ship is coming when he thinks it will. He tells Crito of a dream he had the previous night.
He dreamed of a very beautiful woman, dressed in white. She approached Socrates in the dream, and told him his soul would find it’s home on the third day. He tells Crito how vivid this dream was, he would die the day after tomorrow. Crito lets Socrates know what a misfortune it would be for all; those who know him, as well as those who don’t; if he were to die. He goes on to tell him how irreplaceable he is. Crito offers to help Socrates escape the prison. He wants Socrates to escape into exile. Socrates is not willing to leave Athens. He loves Athens, and cannot imagine his life anywhere else. Crito is concerned about what the majority of people would think, knowing he had money, but was not willing to save Socrates. He is concerned that people would judge him, and not believe that Socrates wasn’t willing to escape prison, given the opportunity to do so. Socrates tells Crito that it is better not to believe the majority, but to pay more attention to reason.
Crito informs Socrates that he and others are willing to risk all they have to save him. He pleads with Socrates to accept his offer. He knows this is his very last chance to try and save his very dear friend.
He goes on to inform Socrates that if it is money he is concerned about, not to worry. Crito tells him that it would not be as much money as he thinks. He goes on and on telling Socrates of places he can go into exile to, places that would welcome him and keep him safe. Crito pleads with Socrates to accept his proposals to escape, but sees that Socrates is unmoved by his pleas. This upsets Crito. Here he is, giving Socrates his life back on a silver platter, and (as I can imagine) Socrates is shaking his head, saying “no”.
Crito, clearly upset, insinuates that Socrates is being irresponsible. He feels that Socrates is wrong to just lay there and let his life be taken away. He feels he is doing to his life what his enemies have done. Hastened it. Crito feels that Socrates is leaving his sons to a bad fate. He tells Socrates that he shouldn’t have had children at all if we wasn’t going to see them raised properly. He was mad! He accuses Socrates of taking the easiest way out, and challenges him to practice what he’s talked about for years.
Crito goes on and on about how he is ashamed Socrates was even brought to trial in the first place. He believed it was an evil thing, done not only to him but to all. Once again, Crito pleads for his friend to save his own life. Again, Socrates refused. I can imagine how upset Crito is right now.
Socrates tenderly talks to his friend. He reasons with him in his very own Socratic method. In this eleventh hour of his life, Socrates is examining what is right, what is wrong, in this situation. He asks Crito whether it is right to consider the opinions of many men, or the one who “understand justice and injustice, the one, that is, and the truth itself.” He tells Crito that they will examine whether it would be the right thing for him to escape the prison, even though he hadn’t been acquitted by the Athenians. He eloquently examines the argument given by Crito.
He proves to Crito that he is truly practicing what he’s talked about for years. He explains in his method of questions and answers, how it is not right to willingly do wrong, no matter the situation. Socrates explains to Crito that he must respect the laws of Athens. It was the laws that brought him up, educated him, and taught him what he knew. The laws have given opportunities for all. Socrates feels that if he did not like the laws of Athens, he should have left. It would be impious to disrespect the laws of Athens just because he felt he was wronged. Socrates loves Athens, and only to serve in the war, did he leave. Since Socrates returned to Athens after the war, he feels he should stick to the laws and not injure them.
Socrates feels he would be considered a joke to another city, he would not feel totally safe. He fears that his friends would be in jeopardy of exile. He fears that they would be an enemy to other governments, because they would be considered destroyers of laws.
Socrates also feels that breaking the laws would justify his conviction. Anyone who could destroy the laws could easily have done what he was convicted of doing. He doesn’t feel that breaking or destroying the laws of the city is civilized. Socrates feels he is being led by goodness, or God, to obey the laws. He feels his fate would be Hades if he fails to obey. The word in him is telling him not to let Crito persuade him into escaping. He feels he would be considered a joke, and not be taken seriously by any place he would go.
Socrates firmly lets Crito know that these are his beliefs; if he tried any further to convince him to escape, he would be wasting his time. Socrates gives his friend one last chance to speak. Crito concedes, realizing what Socrates is speaking is the truth.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, I’d like to express the importance of my analysis.
Socrates was deeply concerned about morality. It was important for him to find out what is just, what is true, and what is good. These things were a way of life for him. Because of his beliefs, he influenced the thoughts of those who came after him. Socrates loved Athens. He fought in wars. He protested in political matters. He believed that true happiness comes from leading a good life. The point of my work on the previous pages were to break down the conversation between Socrates and Crito; to give and get an understanding of the dialogue. It is wonderful to have the kind of friendship that Socrates and Crito had. One can only imagine being the same way as Crito was about his dear friend. Surely, if my very good friend were in trouble, I’d want to save them as well. Being a good friend, though, means respecting my friends’ decisions and thoughts of reason. Surely I imagined Crito being very upset at Socrates. I imagined him flailing his arms around trying to get Socrates to understand where he was coming from and escape! I probably would have tried to physically move my friend, as if the building was on fire. Socrates’ reason was his inner voice, it stopped him from doing selfish things. Yes, he knew he was wrongly convicted. For him to go against the laws would have been morally wrong. He felt that was much worse. The fact that Socrates died for his beliefs is an inspiration to me and possibly to anyone who dare come up against what is
just.
Work Cited
Melchert, Norman. The Great Conversation, A Historical Introduction to Philosophy,
Crito, Fifth Edition. New York: Oxford Press, 2007.
Acknowlegement
Thank you to Ms. Joan Beno for giving permission to use her sample thesis statement.