Analyzing Plato's Crito Dialogue
An Analysis of
Plato’s Crito dialogue by Kimara Wright
March 22, 2010
Philosophy 101
Ms. Joan Beno
Rm. 3357
Introduction
Regarded as the wisest man in Athens, Greece, Socrates (born around 470 b.c.) was just that. Wearing shabby clothing and always walking around barefoot, Socrates spent his days discussing everything you can imagine. Athens was full of philosophers (known as Sophists, who charged money for their so-called knowledge) who thought they knew everything, and charged for their teachings. He considered himself to be like a midwife, helping to deliver the ideas of others, and determine their truth. Socrates wrote nothing. He ironically claims to …show more content…
Socrates was deeply concerned about morality. It was important for him to find out what is just, what is true, and what is good. These things were a way of life for him. Because of his beliefs, he influenced the thoughts of those who came after him. Socrates loved Athens. He fought in wars. He protested in political matters. He believed that true happiness comes from leading a good life. The point of my work on the previous pages were to break down the conversation between Socrates and Crito; to give and get an understanding of the dialogue. It is wonderful to have the kind of friendship that Socrates and Crito had. One can only imagine being the same way as Crito was about his dear friend. Surely, if my very good friend were in trouble, I’d want to save them as well. Being a good friend, though, means respecting my friends’ decisions and thoughts of reason. Surely I imagined Crito being very upset at Socrates. I imagined him flailing his arms around trying to get Socrates to understand where he was coming from and escape! I probably would have tried to physically move my friend, as if the building was on fire. Socrates’ reason was his inner voice, it stopped him from doing selfish things. Yes, he knew he was wrongly convicted. For him to go against the laws would have been morally wrong. He felt that was much worse. The fact that Socrates died for his beliefs is an inspiration to me and possibly to anyone who dare come up against what is
Plato’s Crito dialogue by Kimara Wright
March 22, 2010
Philosophy 101
Ms. Joan Beno
Rm. 3357
Introduction
Regarded as the wisest man in Athens, Greece, Socrates (born around 470 b.c.) was just that. Wearing shabby clothing and always walking around barefoot, Socrates spent his days discussing everything you can imagine. Athens was full of philosophers (known as Sophists, who charged money for their so-called knowledge) who thought they knew everything, and charged for their teachings. He considered himself to be like a midwife, helping to deliver the ideas of others, and determine their truth. Socrates wrote nothing. He ironically claims to …show more content…
Socrates was deeply concerned about morality. It was important for him to find out what is just, what is true, and what is good. These things were a way of life for him. Because of his beliefs, he influenced the thoughts of those who came after him. Socrates loved Athens. He fought in wars. He protested in political matters. He believed that true happiness comes from leading a good life. The point of my work on the previous pages were to break down the conversation between Socrates and Crito; to give and get an understanding of the dialogue. It is wonderful to have the kind of friendship that Socrates and Crito had. One can only imagine being the same way as Crito was about his dear friend. Surely, if my very good friend were in trouble, I’d want to save them as well. Being a good friend, though, means respecting my friends’ decisions and thoughts of reason. Surely I imagined Crito being very upset at Socrates. I imagined him flailing his arms around trying to get Socrates to understand where he was coming from and escape! I probably would have tried to physically move my friend, as if the building was on fire. Socrates’ reason was his inner voice, it stopped him from doing selfish things. Yes, he knew he was wrongly convicted. For him to go against the laws would have been morally wrong. He felt that was much worse. The fact that Socrates died for his beliefs is an inspiration to me and possibly to anyone who dare come up against what is