Crito

12 Pages 2996 Words

Philosophy 1010-008
Crito and Euthyphro

Crito
The "Crito" seems intended to exhibit the character of Socrates in two lights, one as the philosopher, and the other simply as the good citizen, who having been unjustly condemned is willing to give up his life in obedience to the laws of the State.
The days of Socrates are drawing to an end. The fatal ship has been seen off Sunium. Time is precious and Crito has come early in order to gain his consent to plan an escape. Crito believes, his friends, who can afford to help Socrates’ escape to Thessely, or any other place, can easily accomplish this. Crito will have no difficulty in finding friends in Thessaly and other places, who would protect Socrates and welcome him to stay.
Socrates is afraid that Crito is being influenced by the opinions of the many. Socrates believes that you should only value the opinions of the experts. You do not go to a shoe salesman with a question about your health, just as you don’t ask a doctor about the best shoe. “But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many? The most reasonable people, to whom one should pay more attention, will believe that things were done as they were done.”
Crito. “But do you see, Socrates, that the opinion of the many must be regarded, as is evident in your own case, because they can do the very greatest evil to anyone who has lost their good opinion.”
Socrates. “I only wish, Crito, that they could; for then they could also do the greatest good, and that would be well. But the truth is, that they can do neither good nor evil: they cannot make a man wise or make him foolish; and whatever they do is the result of chance. (Plato: Five Dialogues 44c-e).”
“One should follow the opinion of the wise (physicians and trainers) with regard to the health of the body. Life would not be worth living in an unhealthy body.” According to Socrates if you take the advice of the many it is l...