Crito by Plato
Introduction
Crito is a discourse drafted by the traditional philosopher Plato. The discussion talks about unjust, just and suitable responses to injustice. It happens between Socrates, who was a conventional Greek philosopher, who gets imprisoned to death accused of heresy, and his wealthy ally Crito who plans to escape him out of jail. Crito believes that Socrates condemned conviction is unjust. He further claims that justice lacks by following unfair regulations.While Socrates thinks that injustice cannot be responded to with another wrong, and rejects his friend’s suggestion of breaking away.
Summary
Crito entirety occurs in Socrates jail cell, where he is waiting for a death penalty in the morning for heresy accusation. An old ally, Crito, pays him a visit at night. He has ordered plans to sneak Socrates out of jail and take him in exile place where he can live safely. However, Socrates does not appear interested in the arrangement. Crito argues that Socrates’ killing will appear badly on his allies since they will think they did not put in any efforts to rescue him. Crito says that Socrates should not be disturbed concerning financial expenses to his associates, because they have organized all for him. Crito continuous to plead with Socrates’ moral nature. He says that if he allows for his execution, he will be assisting his rivals unfair ruling and will, therefore, be behaving immorally. Socrates starts his reply, claiming that no person should panic about public views. Instead, they should only listen to professionals’ wise advice. Therefore, Crito should not panic that his and Socrates’s image will suffer after the death penalty. Socrates went ahead to initiate Athens’s laws. The laws, assigned for effect, talk to Socrates and continue to describe why trying a breakaway would be unjust. The laws stay together as an entity; going against one would be to shatter the rest. Socrates thinks that other than smashing the rules and running away, he must try one final attempt to convince the law to set him free. Socrates says, he has continuously proved the social contract with his entire life. If he were to shatter it now, he would get viewed as a fugitive. And would never be accepted in any developed state for his entire lifetime. Socrates thinks he would cruelty be judged in the criminal world for crime in opposition to the social contract. With this optimal argument, Socrates assures Crito of the goodness of his decision, and Crito accepts to allow Socrates to remain in prison and wait for his destiny at dawn.