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Exploring Socrates in Plato's Crito

Oct 20, 2024

Lecture on Plato's Crito

Exam Focus

  • Unit 2 Exam:
    • Difference between early Plato (historical Socrates) and middle Plato (Plato's philosophy).
    • Crito is early Plato, a historical dialogue.

Setting the Scene

  • Crito Dialogue:
    • Occurs after the Apology where Socrates is sentenced to death.
    • Crito offers Socrates a chance to escape.
    • Socrates will escape only if it is the right thing to do.

Themes and Concepts

  • Socrates’ Philosophy:

    • Socrates values ethics over popular opinion.
    • Similar theme in the Apology: “Easier to outrun death than wickedness.”
  • Crito's Argument:

    • Uses fallacy of appeal to popularity (bandwagon argument).
    • Socrates emphasizes expertise over popular opinion.
    • Ethics requires expert knowledge, contrary to common U.S. belief.

Key Disagreements

1. Value of Life

  • Crito: All human life has value.
  • Socrates: Only the good life has value.
    • This was a standard belief in ancient Greece, while Crito’s view was radical at the time.
    • Raises questions about capital punishment and moral implications.
    • Example: Discuss Albert Fish as a hard case to argue all life has value.

2. Social Contract

  • Definition: Basis for legitimate government authority.

    • Government can take away rights (e.g., prison), but where does this authority stem from?
  • Socrates and the Social Contract:

    • Contract between state and citizen.
    • State provides protection, education, and infrastructure.
    • Citizens owe obedience to laws in return.
    • Sweeteners: Ability to leave or change laws within a democracy.
  • Socrates' Argument:

    • Socrates argues he must uphold the law because:
      • The state fulfilled its obligations.
      • He never attempted to escape or change the law previously.
    • Breaking the social contract would be morally wrong.

Discussion Points

  • Ethics and Expertise: Should ethics be left to experts?
  • Preservation of Life: Should capital punishment be abolished for moral reasons?
  • Social Contract: Is Socrates correct in his interpretation and adherence?

Conclusion

  • These themes and questions should generate a lively discussion.
  • Upcoming: More on logic and conceptual analysis.