Socrates Philosophy 101

According to Socrates, must one heed popular opinion about moral matters? Does Socrates accept the fairness of the laws under which he was tried and convicted? Would Socrates have been wrong to escape?

Nicholas Graham

Professor Lynn Mardon

Philosophy 101

31 January 2021

Paper Outline

In this paper, I will evaluate three of many controversial questions relating to Socrates during the time of his trail and after he is condemned. I will discuss if one must heed popular opinion about moral matters, according to Socrates. I will expand on the manner in which Socrates accepts the fairness of the laws under which he was tried and convicted. Lastly, I will provide a justification if Socrates would have been wrong to escape during his trail.

I. Crito of Alopece was a follower and friend of Socrates. In conversations between Socrates and Crito during Socrates imprisonment, Crito urges Socrates to stand up to the injustice that has befallen him. Crito eludes if Socrates refuses, it will damage the perception of Socrates and his followers. Socrates does not waiver in position and explains to Crito that much consideration must be taken into account before any action.

A. Socrates explains the principles to consider, in great detail, then informs Crito which principles should always apply regardless of popular opinion (

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2-43).

B. Socrates applied the deontological ethics coupled with virtue ethics reasoning prior to taking action. Deontology theory focuses on actions as good or bad based on the actions itself, rather than the outcomes of those actions.

C. Next, I will expand on the manner in which Socrates accepts the fairness of the laws under which he is tried and convicted.

II. Socrates’ acceptance of his trial and conviction are somewhat ambiguous. Outlined in Plato’s dialogue, The Apology, it is clear that Socrates is defiant in his demand for liberty or death. Socrates states “Either acquit me, or don’t, knowing that I will not behave differently even if I am to be put to death a thousand times over” (Marchevsky 2). The interpretation of this statement is that Socrates would to continue in his works regardless of what the court ordered.

A. In Plato’s Crito dialogue, Socrates takes on more of a submissive role and agrees to abide by the laws in which he plans to reside. Let’s utilize a comparison between one’s choice to live in California to Florida. The economy is better in California but Florida residents do not pay state taxes. Socrates states “citizens of a state have a duty to obey the laws of that state” (Marchevsky 2). This statement is perceived to be the acceptance of the law by Socrates.

B. Given the gravity and severity of this trail, it is evident that Socrates portrayed several emotions and expressed himself. Ultimately, Socrates chose to abide by the law and in doing so, he prevented the destruction of order in Athens.

C. In the following paragraph, we will examine if Socrates would have been wrong to escape.

III. As discussed earlier, Socrates decided to go against popular opinion to remain imprisoned. The following principles led him to that determination: removing any personal interest of the act, if the act will sever him or be considered unjust to others, deciding if injustice is okay at times, or if justice should prevail at all times (Graham 25-43). Socrates believed it was unjust to escape due to the action itself only favoring his personal interest.

A. “The greatest good for a human being is to converse every day about virtue and certain other things and the unexamined life is not worth living” (Leibowitz 163). Socrates lived a life of philosophy and valued his autonomy. Running from justice or choosing escape and exile would tarnish every principle he believed in.

IV. This paper evaluated whether popular opinion should be taken into consideration when addressing moral matters. We covered the manner of acceptance in which Socrates regarded his trial and conviction. Lastly, we explained why Socrates would have been morally wrong to escape from his trial.

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Works Cited

Graham, Daniel. “Socrates as a Deontologist.” The Review of Metaphysics, vol. 71, no. 1, Philosophy Education Society, Inc., The Catholic University of America, Sept. 2017, pp. 25–43.

Leibowitz, David. “The Ironic Defense of Socrates: Plato’s Apology.” The Ironic Defense of Socrates, Cambridge University Press, 2010, doi:10.1017/CBO9780511761829.

Marchevsky, Masha. “Socrates Misinterpreted and Misapplied: An Analysis of the Constructed Contradiction between the Apology and the Crito.” Macalester Journal of Philosophy, vol. 13, no. 1 article 4, 2004, pp.1-9. digitalcommons.macalester.edu/philo/vol13/iss1/4