Encyclopedia of Philosophy: THE CRito of Plato

« THE CRito of Plato The Crito is a much easier dialogue to read.

Socrates is now in prison, waiting for the execution of his sentence.

A number of his friends, led by Crito, have devised a plan for him to escape and flee to Thessaly.

The plan had a good chance of success, but Socrates would have no part in it.

Life was only worth striving for if it was a good life; and life purchased by disobedience to the laws was not a life worth living.

Even if he has been wronged, he should not render evil for evil.

But in fact he has been condemned by due process, and he should remain obedient to the law. Socrates imagines the laws of Athens addressing him.

‘Did we not bring you into existence? By our aid your father married your mother and begat you.' We also commanded your father to educate you in body and mind.

‘Has a philosopher like you failed to discover that our country is more precious and higher and holier far than mother or father or any ancestor? .

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Having brought you into the world, and nurtured and educated you, and given you and every other citizen a share in every good which we had to give, we further proclaim to any Athenian by the liberty which we allow him, that if he does not like us, the laws, when he has become of age and seen the ways of the city, and made our acquaintance, he may go where he pleases and take his goods with him.' By remaining in Athens continuously through his long life Socrates has entered into an implied contract that he will do as the laws command.

By refusing at his trial to accept exile rather than death, he has renewed that commitment.

Will he now, at the age of seventy, turn his back on the covenants he has made and run away? ‘Think not of life and children first, and of justice afterwards, but of justice first; for if you leave the city, returning evil for evil and breaking the contracts you have made with us, our brethren, the laws in the world below, will give you no friendly welcome.' Crito has no answer and Socrates concludes, ‘Let us fulfil the will of God and follow whither he leads'.. »