Crito Flashcards
Describe the opening scene between Crito and Socrates. Where is this dialogue taking place? When?
In Socrates cell
- What does Crito want to do for Socrates? What reasons does he give (at least 3)?
He wants Socrates to run away.
He is gonna orphan his sons
He is going to make his friends look bad
He is taking the easy way out
- How does Socrates respond to each of Crito’s “arguments” for helping Socrates escape his punishment?
He does a question answer session with him
- Why, according to Socrates, should we not care what the majority thinks?
The majority are not the experts… we should only care about the experts opinions
- What comparison does Socrates draw between the health of the body and the health of the soul?
He compares how we should listen to the doctor over others for our health. With out our body’s functioning life is not worth living. The same is with the soul. We should follow justice and virtue. Without them life is not worth living.
- Why, ultimately, does Socrates think he should not try to escape prison? How is this harmful to the city of Athens (the city that convicted him in the first place)?
He believes that he will break a silent contract between him and the country. It can harm the city in him leaving by allowing others to think it is ok to overstep the law.
- What do the laws say to Socrates regarding the potential choice to escape in his imaginary conversation with them at the conclusion of the dialogue?
they say that he had other chances and that him leaving is not virtuous.
