Preview

Explain Why Socrates Argument That People Should Follow The Social Contract

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
343 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Explain Why Socrates Argument That People Should Follow The Social Contract
The social contract theory mainly began during the Age of Enlightenment where it was introduced politically; however, the idea had originated from philosopher Socrates during Ancient Greek time.
A compromise between an individual or individuals government and themselves on the duties and responsibilities that they were born with.
Socrates argument is that people should follow the Social Contract Theory since it was the origin point of how people were born, how one got educated, and how one were to act through adulthood. In the book, Crito, Socrates states that by the time they reach adulthood they could either stay and accept their rules and laws or leave with their belongings. He eventually chose to stay in Athens and be executed rather than
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Arguments Against Socrates Crito
    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Arguments Against Socrates Crito

    But on the other hand this choice has to be made "on attaining manhood". If the individual decides to stay and live there then he is automatically participating in the law making process and he engages in the "political association" (The Politics). In conclusion he must completely obey any decision the state makes concerning him even if this decision involves his death. He continues and states that if he would escape, the city and its laws could be destroyed. The judicial system would have no more power because the people will stop trusting the system. Chaos would be the imminent outcome. Therefore we get to another minor premise that states that destroying Athens laws will hurt its citizens. Committing an act that could harm other people is against Socrates premise of living well. By harming other people you destroy your own character and conscience. According to Socrates life is not worth living with a ruined conscience the same as it is not worth living "with a body which is worn out and ruined in health"…

    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Socrates Execution In The Story Of Crito
    • 1264 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Socrates Execution In The Story Of Crito

    I believe that Socrates has made the absolute most just decision with everything he could have done. It still remains remarkable to me that he had turned down such an easy and pleasant life of exile to take on his execution that he is innocent for. Although it seems like such a hard thing to pass on, I know I would have done the exact same thing after some deep thought about how it would impact myself along with the rest of the community. I fully stand behind Socrates’ decision by staying in prison and taking on his…

    • 1264 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther King Jr Vs Socrates Analysis
    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr Vs Socrates Analysis

    He believes that these laws has given him birth, have educated him, raised him and have shared the wealth of Athens with him. Socrates thinks that the people of Athens are free to leave if they find the laws unjust, but if they want to stay then they must abide by the laws of Athens. The only thing that he points out are the people in power. He thinks that the people who are in power have changed the original laws for their own benefit. “been wronged, not by the Laws, but by men” (p 54). Socrates accepts death penalty because he wants the laws should be remain in place. Given opportunities such as exile or apology, he argues that if he escape from the prison, it will destroy the laws of the city and, eventually, the city because according to Socrates no city can survive without its laws being enforced. Therefore, Socrates steadfast by his believes of not violating any…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Socrates Apology And Crito Analysis
    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Socrates Apology And Crito Analysis

    Doubtlessly, Socrates believed that fear of death should never be a reason for one to change one's beliefs. These beliefs are spoken about largely in Crito; that he cannot break a just contract between himself and the law nor do any harm to any entity. Socrates was willful to abide by Athenian law and the legal judgments made according to them even if they were incorrect. He believed that he gave his obedience in exchange for the life that those laws provided…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Plato's Crito
    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Plato's Crito

    Socrates, addressing Crito’s argument to help Socrates escape from jail, tells Crito that his enthusiasm is appreciated however it is too emotional for figuring out what is right and wrong. He explains that decisions must be made rationally, and that just because circumstances may change, the values that he has always…

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Socrates Disobeyed The Unjust Analysis
    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Socrates Disobeyed The Unjust Analysis

    • 1. In the Apology, Socrates recounts how he disobeyed the unjust order of the Thirty Tyrants to arrest a fellow citizen; he also claims that he will never stop philosophizing, regardless of what the legally constituted political authority commands. Yet, in the Crito, Socrates provides numerous arguments for obeying the decision of the legally constituted political authority, even though the decision (to put Socrates to death) was unjust. Critically assess whether Socrates’s view about political obligation in the two texts is consistent.…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Personal Narrative: The Apology Of Socrates
    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Personal Narrative: The Apology Of Socrates

    Since Athenians were so close minded, they out casted anyone that didn't conform to their traditions. They should have been open to anything and not simply dislike a person or a situation because it didn’t follow their ideals. Socrates’ trial eventually led to his death and this illustrates that everyone has limitations. We can’t reject what we were taught or certain laws in society just because we don’t agree. Society functions because we work together and change together not because we do what we want. Furthermore, when Socrates was on trial he made a point to say that the democracy was poison to the people. Yet when his friend Crito offers him an escape from his death he denies the offer because he believes it is unjust to not face his execution. There are many theories behind why Socrates said no since he didn’t support the democracy; I believe it is because he had an open mind. (Crito,76-77). Yes, him being open-minded lead to his death; however, it indicates that he understood limitations of the law and respected societies perspectives.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    When Did Socrates Put On Trial Essay
    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    When Did Socrates Put On Trial Essay

    After being convicted of his ‘crimes’, he is given an opportunity from his friends to escape, but he refuses. The main reason is that the people will know that they convicted an innocent man because they were annoyed with Socrates. When he is dead he will go to the underworld and be able to talk to far more interesting people. Also the people of Athens would only get a break from Socrates. When they die he’ll be there to greet them, and they can’t run away from him where they’re…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Socrates Civil Disobedience
    • 986 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Socrates Civil Disobedience

    His termination was postponed due to a religious festival, for thirty days. During those thirty days his friends and student would try to convince Socrates to escape Athens. His students and friends wanted him to go to somewhere other then his doomed fate in Athens. He didn’t want to lose his fight and dignity with the people of Athens who disagreed with his believes. So he refused their offers for transport to other places.…

    • 986 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Socrates Vs Crito
    • 2078 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Socrates Vs Crito

    In the reading CRITO the verdict of execution has already been given and now Socrates and colleagues must make the decision to flee the city of Athens or stay and face his fate. In this conversation you have Critos point of view and Socrates. Based on Critos reasoning he states three reasons why Socrates should stay, the first two being selfish but the third hitting home.…

    • 2078 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Socrates: Creating Elaborate Arguments
    • 1280 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Socrates: Creating Elaborate Arguments

    The argument that he does not deserve punishment is the most compelling case that I found. The argument Socrates uses has been proven to be not only valid, but also sound which makes it a very compelling case for Socrates not to be punished. The jury however does not appeal to his sense of defending himself and sentences him to death. Socrates was wrongly sentenced to death because the punishment that should have been issued would be counseling. The main question is still raised from Socrates argument that if no one intentionally does harm which would lead to no punishment being issued, then why is there a court system for people to be tried. This would suggest that either Socrates argument is flawed that people do intentionally cause harm to others, (which is shown to not be true) or the second option the people of Athens are flawed in the way they persecute their own people in a system that is…

    • 1280 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Plato's Crito
    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Plato's Crito

    Socrates also makes the point that it is better to do right than wrong, no matter what the circumstances. He felt that, although the jurors wronged him by unjustly condemning him, it would still be wrong to violate the laws by escaping. He goes on to say that he does not believe in consciously doing wrong to others as a means of retaliation and that it would indeed undermine his whole life's work. Socrates does not blame the laws which sentenced him, but the people. He goes on to tell Crito that the law has already given him a long and successful life. He explains that he actually owes the city much for his life. He believes that he has a contract with Athens, which would be broken, if he dodged his death. It was under…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    justice and civil disobedience philosophy
    • 1362 Words
    • 6 Pages

    justice and civil disobedience philosophy

    In Plato (399 BCE), Socrates argues that a citizen who had profited greatly from his city should obey all laws regardless of their fairness or aims. When Crito comes to Socrates in jail with his plan and plenty of money to help him escape from prison, to live his life again in a town other than Athens, he gives pretty good reasons for why Socrates ought to leave prison, including his responsibilities to his family and friends and to continue work. However in response, Socrates counters each of his reasons very concisely, but also concludes with the point that his main responsibility is to do what is right. Therefore the question comes down to, not what is beneficial or what would make his family and friends happy but to do what is right. The question, Socrates says, is “what is the morally correct thing to do?” Though,…

    • 1362 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Trial of Socrates
    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Trial of Socrates

    Part of understanding this case is understand the time in which the case was held. This time being 399 B.C., a time in which Athens was a free democratic city, a town that prided itself at the time on the fact that its citizens had much freedom, particularly freedom of speech. Socrates believed that only people who were educated should rule the people, which meant that people were not capable of government participation unless they had the proper knowledge to do so effectively.…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Social Contract Theory
    • 10806 Words
    • 44 Pages

    Social Contract Theory

    Social contract theory, nearly as old as philosophy itself, is the view that persons’ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live. Socrates uses something quite like a social contract argument to explain to Crito why he must remain in prison and accept the death penalty. However, social contract theory is rightly associated with modern moral and political theory and is given its first full exposition and defense by Thomas Hobbes. After Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the best known proponents of this enormously influential theory, which has been one of the most dominant theories within moral and political theory throughout the history of the modern West. In the twentieth century, moral and political theory regained philosophical momentum as a result of John Rawls’ Kantian version of social contract theory, and was followed by new analyses of the subject by David Gauthier and others. More recently, philosophers from different perspectives have offered new criticisms of social contract theory. In particular, feminists and race-conscious philosophers have argued that social contract theory is at least an incomplete picture of our moral and political lives, and may in fact camouflage some of the ways in which the contract is itself parasitical upon the subjugations of classes of persons.…

    • 10806 Words
    • 44 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics