Is Socrates Right Or Wrong Analysis

In the argument between right and wrong people are often faced with many complex decisions. Decisions that can often lead to life changing events, in a person’s life at times of un-expectancy. This is the very dilemma Socrates faced. Socrates, an honorable Athenian man known for his outstanding morality, ethical interpretation, and philosophy was wrongfully imprisoned yet content with the decision to imprison himself by the orders of the majority from his conduct. At this point, it is the break of execution day and in a rousing attempt to change Socrates mind. Crito, another lawful Athenian citizen and friend of Socrates employs Socrates to reflect on the decision to escape jail and flight after this unjust decision rather than being unjustly
put to death. Inevitably, leaving us with the question “of those who have been treated unjustly by their community have an obligation to continue to obey its laws”? In fact, this very notion was the premise of Socrates decision to not take flight after realizing that one wrong doing doesn’t justify another wrongs actions. All in all, Socrates disputes and contemplates the greater sake of his country, reputation, children, money, and civic justice ultimately leading to the conclusion with the preservation of Athens rather than the life of his own.
First and foremost, we are faced with the premise of reputation which early on Crito gives us his reason that if Socrates refuses to escape and is executed.
Crito then will not only have lost a true friend, one not easily replaced, but he will then feel resentment by many people in town who inevitably will accuse him of failing to do all he could in order to save the life of a true friend. Crito states “Surely there can be no worse reputation than to be thought to value money more highly than ones friends, for the majority. (Crito39) ” At this point, we realize Athenian law was held to the highest degree, and unlawful actions result in serious consequences but at the hand of whom and what cost. Crito, further illustrates that he could have purchased the freedom of his friend by paying a certain amount of money to “the majority” but out of his true friends request he did not. Moreover, this displays the weight money held in a time like this making it another underlying premise to the contributing factors to execute Socrates. On the other hand, nonetheless if Socrates actually cares about the reputation of his true friend and well-being that is, he too will be in accord with the request his friend is asking him to make. Ironically, this goes against everything moral Socrates represents, but we further see his opinion on the majority being the unparalleled factor they are. Socrates realizes the severity of the damage they are capable of inflicting him nonetheless, but his
loved ones if he were to flee ultimately not making it an option. The price anyone who has caused “the majority” such disapprobation lawfully deserves traumatic repercussions. Subsequently, Socrates is not concerned about the opinion of the majority, or the severity of his imprisonment on the day of his execution for he knows it is where he is meant to be so why run. Ultimately, he understands that the Athenian law calls for him serve his punishment at the hand of "the majority" for another wrong does not go unjust overall. Socrates’ states “And is life worth living with a body that is corrupted and in bad condition? Would it be just for him to commit this act and live forever committing more bad acts? All in all, Money and reputation were two arguments present from the very beginning of Socrates condemnation, but coherently we see this is only the beginning. Next, we see Crito further provoke Socrates by alluding to another means of argument for Socrates being the lives of his children if he were to escape from prison. Crito tells him that by remaining in prison and refusing to escape, would only allow triumph over him. Crito states “But, Crito also claims that it would actually be unjust for Socrates to stay. That would allow his enemies to triumph over him, and his friends, including his young ones, whom he will abandon by going docilely to his death. (Crito 37).” By going docilely to his death Socrates will betray everyone who has meant something to him with his loss. However, especially the children, who are entitled to the nurture, guidance, and education that a present father crucially provides rather than his absence dead. No doubt, we see the empathy Crito tries to provoke Socrates into feeling after stating all the measures he is willing to go for the welfare of his true friend. But, furthermore this interlude to a Greek idea “of helping ones friends and harming ones enemies”. Which, Crito is manipulating in a sense that is lawfully just by offering to pay to have Socrates exonerated to help his friend. Nevertheless, Socrates, a virtuous man should not want to lie down and wait for his death, but by refusing to escape, he will be taking the easier route without harming his enemies. Inevitably, giving his enemies power over him which is unjust therefore he should not be ashamed of escaping. All in all, we see Crito’s argument to Socrates’ about giving up fight for his children well-being in attempt to arouse Socrates action, but sound in integrity Socrates stood.
Lastly, Crito alludes to what seems to be another means of argument for Socrates being his country and civil justice.
Socrates, a virtues man realizes escaping would only be supporting what is wrong leading to the contributions of a greater evil. It is evidently clear Socrates has made a point to not be swayed by “the majority”, but to follow a course that serves a greater good to his country. Socrates states “ Come now, what accusation do you bring against us and the city, that you should try to destroy us? Did we not, first, bring you to birth, and was it not through us that your father married your mother and begat you? (Crito 44)” Ultimately, these were the very principles Socrates was raised upon. These were the principles he was taught to never forsake. So the argument further advances by Crito not convincing Socrates to escape from prison, but further clarifying why the preservation of the greater good of Athens was inevitability his stance on not committing another unjust law. In fact, Socrates and Crito both virtually just men share the same philosophical understanding of what is right or wrong, but the circumstances have changed since they are faced with these dilemmas first hand. They are then left with the decision to abide by these justices or leave it. If they do abide by it, will they then submit to “the majority” unjustly prosper and decision. Or if they should violate everything they stand for with an escape. Violating the law of the land. For example,
which would make Socrates an enemy to the very land he has always known. Since the beginning of the law to which he vowed to forever oblige. So Crito on the other hand, implies Socrates should escape out of unjustly being imprisoned. But Socrates recollects on what it means to him being a citizen of the state, having been born, nourished, and educated within its borders. These very justices and reasons he is okay with dying for the greater good because ultimately he feels it his obligation to ensure the preservation of state for the generations to come. No matter how defeated he may seem to stand the punishment is okay if everyone gets to continue on. All in all, Socrates willingness to accept the fate of the unjust law shows his final stance on dying for the greater good.
In conclusion, Socrates decision to not escape prison showed the outstanding moral ethics and virtues he held for his society. Presumably, this was the best decision in the end because as stated earlier by Socrates him fleeing would only cause more pain to the ones he loved the most. Ultimately, giving into the majority and dying would free his children of any torment, not bring disgrace to his country, the only one he has ever known, and not being a disgrace to everything he stands for by committing more wrong doings. So the arguments Socrates’ faced were extremely challenging given he had been in jail for two months awaiting on something just but inevitability dying for the greater good of society to continue on lawfully.