Arguments Against Socrates

Section 1: Socrates’ argument

Socrates sits in a prison cell, sentenced to death. His wealthy friend Crito has come to speak with him as he waits for a ship from Delos to return and allow executions to begin. Socrates knows that he, “must die the day after the ship arrives (Plato, 44).” Socrates also knows that he is not guilty of the crimes he was convicted of, stating, “There have been many who have accused me to you for many years now, and none of their accusations are true (Plato 22).” It is in this context that Crito offers to free his friend and that Socrates argues that he should face the punishment he was sentenced to.Socrates argues that he has entered an agreement with the city and that it would be unjust to break that agreement
The legal systems in the city have always included the ability to pay guards to look the other way and allow convicts to escape. It is known that this is something that can be done in response to a sentence by the city, its guards, and socrates. It is such a common and unexceptional thing that Crito even states, “It is not much money that some people require to save you and get you out of here (Plato, 45).” Just as Socrates has demonstrated his agreement with the city by staying in it, the city has demonstrated that the practice of buying your way out of jail is fine by allowing it to continue. Therefore Crito can pay for Socrates’ release and Socrates will still be in accordance with the
While he can escape the city has not sentenced him to “either escape from jail or die” it has sentenced him to die. And the agreement means he must “do what [Athens] say[s] (Plato, 52).” The city has said explicitly that he should die and he has agreed to do what they say. Fleeing might me known to happen by the city but it goes against what they say. Therefore Socrates, in keeping the agreement, must do what they say and let the death sentence be carried