Is Socrates Right Or Wrong Analysis

In the argument between right and wrong people are often faced with many complex decisions. Decisions that can often lead to life changing events, in a person’s life at times of un-expectancy. This is the very dilemma Socrates faced. Socrates, an honorable Athenian man known for his outstanding morality, ethical interpretation, and philosophy was wrongfully imprisoned yet content with the decision to imprison himself by the orders of the majority from his conduct. At this point, it is the break of execution day and in a rousing attempt to change Socrates mind. Crito, another lawful Athenian citizen and friend of Socrates employs Socrates to reflect on the decision to escape jail and flight after this unjust decision rather than being unjustly
Crito then will not only have lost a true friend, one not easily replaced, but he will then feel resentment by many people in town who inevitably will accuse him of failing to do all he could in order to save the life of a true friend. Crito states “Surely there can be no worse reputation than to be thought to value money more highly than ones friends, for the majority. (Crito39) ” At this point, we realize Athenian law was held to the highest degree, and unlawful actions result in serious consequences but at the hand of whom and what cost. Crito, further illustrates that he could have purchased the freedom of his friend by paying a certain amount of money to “the majority” but out of his true friends request he did not. Moreover, this displays the weight money held in a time like this making it another underlying premise to the contributing factors to execute Socrates. On the other hand, nonetheless if Socrates actually cares about the reputation of his true friend and well-being that is, he too will be in accord with the request his friend is asking him to make. Ironically, this goes against everything moral Socrates represents, but we further see his opinion on the majority being the unparalleled factor they are. Socrates realizes the severity of the damage they are capable of inflicting him nonetheless, but his
Socrates, a virtues man realizes escaping would only be supporting what is wrong leading to the contributions of a greater evil. It is evidently clear Socrates has made a point to not be swayed by “the majority”, but to follow a course that serves a greater good to his country. Socrates states “ Come now, what accusation do you bring against us and the city, that you should try to destroy us? Did we not, first, bring you to birth, and was it not through us that your father married your mother and begat you? (Crito 44)” Ultimately, these were the very principles Socrates was raised upon. These were the principles he was taught to never forsake. So the argument further advances by Crito not convincing Socrates to escape from prison, but further clarifying why the preservation of the greater good of Athens was inevitability his stance on not committing another unjust law. In fact, Socrates and Crito both virtually just men share the same philosophical understanding of what is right or wrong, but the circumstances have changed since they are faced with these dilemmas first hand. They are then left with the decision to abide by these justices or leave it. If they do abide by it, will they then submit to “the majority” unjustly prosper and decision. Or if they should violate everything they stand for with an escape. Violating the law of the land. For example,