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Crito

The Crito is one of Plato's known dialogues. The Crito is set after Plato's Apology. It involves a dialogue between Socrates and Crito. Crito who was wealthy follower of Socrates wanted him to escape from Athens. Because he had been found guilty the Athenian jury and sentenced to death.

Crito's Arguments

Crito presents five main arguments to Socrates for escaping.

1. People will think badly of him (Crito) if he doesn't help Socrates.
2. He wants Socrates to go into exile.
3. Socrates is betraying himself.
4. He is giving into his enemies by obeying his sentence.
5. He is betraying his children, depriving them of a father and the opportunity to be educated by him.

Socrates' replies

1. He doesn't care about public opinion, because the public as a whole is not wise.
2. He will follow if Crito will give him a sufficiently appealing reason.
3. It is not right to say he is betraying himself; the essential concern is whether to escape would be just.
4. He is not giving into enemies; by running away he is showing he fears them.
5. Escaping would set a bad example for his children.

The Law's argument.

Later, Socrates presents four arguments from the laws of Athens to show Crito that he cannot escape.

1. We are your parents.
2. We are your rearers (They gave him an education)
3. Socrates agreed to obey us (This is an early statement of Social Contract Theory)
4. Socrates would be a corrupting force wherever he went.

Socrates states that these arguments by the laws are so persuasive that Crito couldn't persuade him to leave.