philosophy3

Required Reading: Plato's "Crito"

This reading follows the trial of Socrates as it was conferred by Plato’s Apology.  Socrates is visited in prison by his lifelong friend, Crito - for whom the dialogue is named - awaiting his death sentence. Begin this discussion board by reviewing “Socrates and the Law: Argument in an Athenian Jail” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Only concern yourself with the “Learning Objectives” in the “Lesson Plans” section of this link. Then review the following video after you have completed reading the Crito -> Socratic Citizenship: Plato, Crito (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Explain whether we should accept Socrates’s argument to stay in prison, rejecting Crito’s proposal to escape and live. Does Socrates provide a sound argument for fulfilling his social contract with the Laws of Athens? Or, does Socrates have a greater obligation to preserve his own life through escaping? 

Recommended Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: "Plato's Shorter Ethical Works - Section 12 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.