At the beginning of the story, the author introduces two main characters who are great friends; Crito and Socrate. One of the main character; Socrate is in prison where his friend Crito visit him (Crito 43a-44a). The main aim behind Crito’s visit to his friend in prison was to plan how to help him through an illegal means of escaping from the prison. Socrate was awaiting final judgment which could result in death. Crito in his mind knew that he was not ready to lose his right friend through death.
Crito’s mission of escaping his friend from the prison was to avoid blame from the people in case Socrate dies. Crito based his arguments why Socrate should escape from the jail behind the following claims; Socrate should flee because of his responsibility to his children, second revolved around his reputation and the last application touches on justice or law.
Crito’s argument on Socrate’s responsibility to his children
Crito’s first argument why his friend should escape from the prison was Socrate’s responsibility to his children. He claims that Socrate’s children will suffer without the care of their father. For example, he says that “I think you are betraying your sons, whom you could raise and educate, by going away and abandoning them” (Crito 45d). He claims that if the Socrate dies his children will become orphans and they will be treated just like other orphans. Crito argues that Socrate’s friends are ready to spend for his rescue through risking their resources.
Moreover, Crito’s central idea of planning to rescue his friend from the execution awaiting him was to avoid blame from the people since they could refer them as cowards. He went on convincing Socrate to agree with their plans, since he should choose the right path which only brave men chose. Crito’s main aim is to avoid blame from the people if his friend could face execution, but he was not doing it out of will but instead responsibilities towards Socrate’s children which could follow him as one of the Socrate’s friend made him to appear more concerned.
Crito’s reputation
Also, Crito could face reputation if his friend dies. People will blame him for Socrate’s death rather than considering the decision of Socrate staying in prison instead of risking to escape. For instance, he says that “people will think that I could have saved you if I were willing to spend the money, but that I didn’t care to” (Crito 44c). Crito feared that people could argue that were it not for him valuing money more than his friend, he could have saved Socrate from being executed. Crito concerned was to avoid seen as greedy of money over human’s life. Crito knew back in his mind that hurting a friend is a terrible thing that is why he tries to convince his friend to agree with his plan of rescuing him from the prison.
Crito viewed stuff under the influence of people's opinion, which his friend disagreed with arguing that the best people will say that the matter was handled with justice the way it was supposed to be. On the other hand, Crito seems to disagree with his friend’s claim saying they should consider even opinion of many. Socrates stands for what is right and justice other than his friend Crito who falls on the other side of the majority opinion which is always wrong and injustice. Socrate made his own decision of obeying the law and waits the day of execution.
Rule of law and justice
The last claim is about justice or law that governs Socrate and other citizens of the Athens city. Socrate does not want to bother his friends who might get themselves into trouble trying to escape him from prison. Socrate does not want anything to do with corruption where his friend is prone to corruption. For example, Crito says "indeed, some people only need to be given a little silver, and they're willing to rescue you and get you out of here" (Crito 45a-b). It is clear that from the Crito’s statement, he is in just unlike his friend who goes for justice and disagrees with the opinion of the majority which much of it is in only. He says that if someone follows what majority are saying, he might end up hurting his body.
Besides, he says that the most important thing is to live well without following people's opinion which may lead somebody to temptations of breaking the laws. He considers going for what is morally right by opposing the proposal of his friend to bribe the guards to escape from the prison. He believes that bribing of guards will harm his soul since the city law was to be violated and legal judgments will lose its power. Injustice, practices could lead to the destruction of the city since the rules could be meaningless to the people. Socrate knew that if he escapes, he will be harming his soul by violating the laws of Athens which he agreed to abide with them to the latter. He stands for justice virtue, and that is the reason why he chose to remain in prison to wait for his judgments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Crito’s arguments are weak, and only one that is strong which touches the issue of Socrate’s children. Crito is a symbol of corrupt people who do not want to follow the right protocols of the law. He thought of using his money power to exploit the guards by bribing them to rescue his friend from the prison. Crito is not a friend in need because he could have used his money to look for the best lawyer to defend his friend from being executed rather than planning for the escape which was risky. Socrate on the other side represents justice and loyal citizen who follow the law even in the absence of the authorized representatives. He chose to remain in prison and wait for the executions other than escaping. He does not want to violate the rules which govern them by running away from the jail since he will hurt his soul too.
Socrate does not follow people's opinion, but he sticks to his own decision which is morally right. Socrate is a representative of a patriotic citizen who should be emulated by other people and shun from that of Crito who only cares for his reputations from other people. Corruption is an evil vice which should be condemned by all people since it drags the country behind hence increasing the rate of poverty instead of lowering. People should always go for what is right regardless of what other people are saying about it just like what Socrate did. The author uses many characters as lessons we should learn from and change positively and not negatively.
Work Cited
Brost, Brian D. " The Argument has made the Decision": Deliberation in Plato's Crito." Southwest Philosophy Review31.1 (2015): 167-175.
