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.

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.

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.

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.

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.