Trial And Death Of Socrates Analysis

In Plato’s Trial and Death of Socrates, the value of piety and justice is emphasized repeatedly. To Socrates, it is never valid to knowingly commit an unjust action, as it does more harm than good. In other words, the most important thing in life is a good life that maintains the health of the body and psyche. Therefore, after failing to be acquitted from his trial, he must now determine whether it is just or unjust to escape without the approval of fellow Athenians. In his examination of possible liberation, Socrates rationalizes with Crito as to why he believes escaping does no justice for his psyche, or the city. He eventually personifies the law of Athens, talking in the voice of the law, to reason with Crito, and with himself, as to why
Nevertheless, this does not necessarily mean that they must blindly subject to the laws. Much like Socrates’ view, I reckon, as citizens, we should also have the right to challenge the laws, to persuade it, if we see something reprehensible, rather than mindlessly subjecting to the principle. For instance, it is common for individuals of today, and throughout the course of history, to express their discontent with the law. For this reason, they may choose to express their disapproval by challenging the law through modes of demonstrations and protests. Likewise, as the voice of the law had pointed out, Socrates had his chance to challenge the law, during his trial. However, just as protesters may encounter obstacles along the way, such as threats of charges and arrest due to their inability to convince the mass of their view, Socrates must face the verdict if he fails to convince the jury otherwise. In other words, as stated by the law, in agreeance with the rule, we have the ability to “persuade it as to the nature of justice” (50b), but if we are unable to achieve such action, we are to obey the law. Furthermore, citizens also have the right to move about freely, without restraints from the government. For example, if we are in disagreeing with the law, we have the freedom to relocate to an area that better satisfies our personal principles and ideologies. We have witnessed this phenomenon numerously throughout history. As learned from history, there have been countless amounts of immigrants and refugees who leave their countries due to the discontent of the nation’s laws, conditions, or treatments towards individuals. Similarly, the Athenian law made note that Socrates had the ability to leave Athens if he claims that he was unhappy with the government system. However, as mentioned previously, he had an implied agreement with the city by remaining in Athens for 70 years, and