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askannakarenina's review
3.0
Short, sweet, to the point- Socrates justifies his refusal to escape on potentially philosophically dubious grounds.
thirstkirst's review
5.0
This is my second time reading Crito. I have a lot to say about it and will probably say more after I get some work done, but I highly recommend this if you are interested in philosophies regarding morality, right and wrong, state authority, revenge, and life vs death.
Socrates makes a solid argument FOR his OWN execution. The state has accused him of heresy and corrupting the youth, but he does not think he has done so. Even after he gives his defense (in Apology), the jury still convicts him. He then discusses why he would rather be put to death than to be exiled. After agreeing to his sentence, he gets put in jail and waits for his execution, which is where Crito begins. Socrates's friend, Crito, comes to help him escape prison because it is ridiculously easy, cheap, happens all the time, and the right thing to do (since Socrates is innocent). Socrates does not think it is the right thing to escape, but Crito does. Conversation ensues and the debate begins. I love it.
I, personally, would have gone with Crito immediately, but Socrates is a better person than I am I guess. Depending on what you think is virtuous. Getting executed even though you are innocent because you have to obey the law? Or escaping prison and execution as an innocent man, but tarnishing yourself as a guilty one for destroying the principles of yourself and the government?
My favorite thing about this writing by Plato is that in Crito's argument, he says that Socrates should do the right thing and escape because he claims to be a virtuous person. When Socrates is arguing for the side of the government, he says he should do the right thing and stay because he claims to be virtuous. Ah, philosophy. Gotta love it.
Socrates makes a solid argument FOR his OWN execution. The state has accused him of heresy and corrupting the youth, but he does not think he has done so. Even after he gives his defense (in Apology), the jury still convicts him. He then discusses why he would rather be put to death than to be exiled. After agreeing to his sentence, he gets put in jail and waits for his execution, which is where Crito begins. Socrates's friend, Crito, comes to help him escape prison because it is ridiculously easy, cheap, happens all the time, and the right thing to do (since Socrates is innocent). Socrates does not think it is the right thing to escape, but Crito does. Conversation ensues and the debate begins. I love it.
I, personally, would have gone with Crito immediately, but Socrates is a better person than I am I guess. Depending on what you think is virtuous. Getting executed even though you are innocent because you have to obey the law? Or escaping prison and execution as an innocent man, but tarnishing yourself as a guilty one for destroying the principles of yourself and the government?
My favorite thing about this writing by Plato is that in Crito's argument, he says that Socrates should do the right thing and escape because he claims to be a virtuous person. When Socrates is arguing for the side of the government, he says he should do the right thing and stay because he claims to be virtuous. Ah, philosophy. Gotta love it.
sookieskipper's review
3.0
Its possible that its the translation that didn't engage me as much the dialogue intended to. Continuing where "Apology" left off, Crito visits Socrates in prison in hopes of busting Socrates out. The apologiathat Socrates takes makes the entirety of this book.
Socrates takes a stand and stands strong on his principle. It is unfunny how easily his stance can be misconstrued as religious symbolism. Its incredibly not. The controversial part of the dialogue comes in ending paragraphs which is jarring in their intent which sours the exchange between the two till then. Socrates insists that the state comes before everything and that is off-putting given how Socrates has spent his life in finding the truth.
Crito is prelude to an inevitable end and that's just sad.
Socrates takes a stand and stands strong on his principle. It is unfunny how easily his stance can be misconstrued as religious symbolism. Its incredibly not. The controversial part of the dialogue comes in ending paragraphs which is jarring in their intent which sours the exchange between the two till then. Socrates insists that the state comes before everything and that is off-putting given how Socrates has spent his life in finding the truth.
Crito is prelude to an inevitable end and that's just sad.
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