Discourse on Plato - Essay Example

Dis on Plato Plato’s dis on the imprisonment of Socrates as well as Crito’s attempts to help him escape can be considered to be a means through which this philosopher believes in the rule of law as well as the maintenance of the integrity of the laws that govern the city of Athens. One would suggest that among the arguments made by Socrates is that of living well and this in such a way that he wishes to live without a burden to his conscience. Socrates argues that to escape from prison would mean that he would be committing an unjust action which would lead to a situation where his soul would be ruined. To escape would mean that he would be going against the laws of the city of Athens and this would lead to s situation where he would not have peace with himself as a fugitive. The life of a fugitive would bring destruction to his soul because he would not have the peace that he needed to ensure that he lives a normal life. Furthermore, Socrates argues that his life would not be worth living if his soul is ruined as a result of choosing to escape because to escape would mean that his life would have lost all meaning (Boylan and Johnson, 2010). One would agree with this argument since to escape would mean that Socrates will not be able to live his life in complete freedom and will always continuously be looking over his shoulder in a bid to escape the vengeful Athenian authorities. The argument of his soul being ruined because he will not be living well is an example of the manner through which Socrates believed that the laws of the state were created for the purpose of guiding the lives of men and if they were violated, it would mean that life was not worth living. Living well, according to Socrates, can only be achieved through the obedience of the law and this means ensuring that one lives a moral and just life. Socrates’ argument, therefore, shows that life is not worth living if it is not just and moral and this creates a situation where his escape would be detrimental to justice and morality. Another argument that Socrates makes is that his escape would have consequences for the city of Athens. Among these consequences is that an escape would lead to the violation of the laws of Athens and this would mean that not only these laws, but also the foundation of the city itself would be destroyed. Furthermore, to escape would mean that there would be a serious violation of the laws of Athens and to do so would have a negative consequence for the citizens of the city because they would also end up being harmed. Socrates further argues that to put the peoples of Athens in harm through his escaping from custody would have a negative impact on his own soul because to cause harm to others is not only unjust, but it creates a situation where one’s soul is put in harm’s way (Boylan and Johnson, 2010). The harm that is brought to one’s soul is not worth escaping for and Socrates states that it would be better for him to die rather than live with a soul that has been ruined. Socrates shows that despite the conditions he is in and the availability of opportunities to escape, to do so would not only have a damaging effect on his soul, but it would cause him so much grief that he would not be able to live with it. Moreover, as a law abiding citizen of Athens, he would not feel right living the rest of his life in such a way that he would not have peace in his soul. Harming the welfare of the state and its citizens would bring about a situation where his soul would not be able to recover and it would create a situation where he would no longer be willing to live anyway. He therefore tells Crito that it would be best for him to remain imprisoned and accept the death sentence that has been handed down to him. An observation that is made from Socrates’ arguments is that to escape from jail would mean that he would be breaking an agreement that he made with the city as its citizen. It can further be argued that it is as a result of this agreement, which includes his having to abide by the laws of Athens rather than violating them, that makes Socrates seek not to escape from custody. Despite his having many friends, such as Crito, who are willing to help him escape the death sentence at all costs, Socrates is adamant that to do so would be an unjust action which will warrant his not being able to live with himself. Among the most noteworthy arguments for not escaping that he makes is that it would lead to a situation where his actions would lead to the destruction of the city as well as its legal system. One would argue that he says this because his actions would end up being emulated by others who are in custody and such widespread disobedience of the law would not only ruin the legal system upon which the city is founded, but as a consequence, the city itself. To break his agreement to be a law abiding citizen of Athens would be an unjust action which would in turn lead to his soul being ruined because he would not be able to live in peace after committing such an act as escaping from jail. Therefore, despite his innocence as well as his having an opportunity to escape since he has been wrongfully accused, Socrates decides to remain in jail because he believes that it would be better for him to die that to continue living with a soul that has been ruined; essentially endorsing the legal system of Athens. He therefore chooses to remain in jail and await the death sentence that has been handed down to him by the authorities of the city. The arguments made by Socrates are significant because they provide a unique perspective concerning the reason for laws as well as the possible consequences of not abiding by them. Choosing to abide by the law, despite Crito’s arguments for the opposite, shows that despite the injustice of it, Socrates is willing to accept the sentence that has been handed to him rather than live a life of fear and exile. In the end, Socrates administers the execution himself by partaking of the hemlock that he is given; sealing his fate. The discussion above has attempted to show that despite the numerous opportunities that he has for escape, Socrates chose to remain in jail and abide by the Athenian laws that had him sentenced to death. The discussion shows that among the arguments made by Socrates is that of living well and this in such a way that he wishes to live without a burden to his conscience. Moreover, a critical observation of the arguments that he has with Crito has shown that an argument that Socrates makes is that his escape would have consequences for the city of Athens because it would undermine its legal system. Another observation that is made from Socrates’ arguments is that to escape from jail would mean that he would be breaking an agreement that he made with the city as its citizen where he would be required to observe its laws. Reference Boylan, M. & Johnson, C. (2010). An Innovative Introduction: Philosophy. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Read More