Phil-2306 Ethics - Socrates: Just or Unjust?

Ashley Villegas

PHIL-2306 ETHICS

Socrates: Just or Unjust?

In Plato’s Crito, Socrates is faced with the dilemma of whether or not it would be just to escape prison. I have concluded that it would not be just based that at the time, around 585BCE, the idea of liberal individualism did not exist. Also, due to the city-state type of democracy of Athens, abiding by the state was crucial for the survival of its people and the state as a whole.

Liberal Individualism is the belief that the basis of recognition should be characterized by what makes someone or something unique compared to a larger whole or, in this case, population ¹. Considering the times and the city-state democracy, the state was your identity. Your thoughts, actions, occupation, friends, education and even personality were determined with the laws and customs of the state in mind. There was nothing then that could compare to the vast, universal reach of liberal individualism and the grasp it has on the world today. The state of Athens considered this type of behavior or thinking to be anarchy or challenging the states authority and corrupting its youth. It was in fact punishable by death and also of the things that imprisoned Socrates and initially formed this dilemma. Crito’s position in this particular dialogue, trying to convince Socrates to escape from prison, was about as close as liberal individualism would get at the time. Though, due to his status in the state as a wealthy, politically involved noble and close friend of Socrates, this made his relationships with others bias and at most, intimidatingly influential.

Crito’s argument that Socrates should escape was compelling and in today’s world, would have convinced the majority to comply. Reminding Socrates the he would not only be able to survive but continue his life’s work of bringing fourth moral truth, continuing to be a father to his children and, at the very least, making Crito look good and remaining friends could convince even the most stubborn and unwilling to leave. Compared to today, it is not uncommon to act upon one’s own self-interest due to the civil rights and liberties us as citizens have acquired throughout the 17th - 19th centuries. Though in the time period of this particular dialogue, the 6th century, these luxuries didn’t exist. Which in turn, must make us consider the times more thoroughly. Also, the idea and lifestyle of liberal individualism is very wide spread and accepted.

Socrates, on the other hand, was a firm believer of not just merely living, but living with moral truth and purpose. He was a man of his word and a man of the state. To show his willingness to abide by the states’ laws and customs, Socrates would