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Crito
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Plato's Socrates, in prison and being urged to flee execution, raises in acute form, and for the first time in European thought, a central question: is it right to disobey the state? Socrates' controversial answer in "Crito" has generated much contemporary literature, but no English commentary of the Greek text for seventy-five years. This new edition aims to provide an up
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paper, 116 pages
Published
July 15th 2010
by Duckworth Publishers
(first published -385)
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- Socrates? I'm terribly sorry to be disturbing you shortly before your impending execution, but--
- And who are you?
- My name is Manny. I'm a visitor from the future. I--
- Again. It's been one visitor after another this evening. First my extremely well-meaning friend Crito trying to save me, and then R. Daneel Olivaw from the Trantorian Empire trying to save me, and then two fictitious characters from Ultima Thule who for some reason also thought they would try to save me, and now you. Well. Wha ...more
- And who are you?
- My name is Manny. I'm a visitor from the future. I--
- Again. It's been one visitor after another this evening. First my extremely well-meaning friend Crito trying to save me, and then R. Daneel Olivaw from the Trantorian Empire trying to save me, and then two fictitious characters from Ultima Thule who for some reason also thought they would try to save me, and now you. Well. Wha ...more
The saga of Socrates’ trial and death continues. This time his friend, Crito, visits him in his cell to try to persuade him to escape into exile. Socrates is true to form, insisting that nothing—not the reputation of himself or his friend, nor concern for his own life—ought to be considered except reason. Crito must attempt to persuade Socrates to escape. The dialogue ends with the famous personification of the Laws of Athens, in the course of which Plato hits upon one of the earliest formulatio
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This is the sequel to Plato's Apology . Socrates has been condemned to death, but for religious reasons his execution has been postponed for a few weeks. Crito, one of his friends, has smuggled himself into Socrates' cell late at night and offers to bribe all the necessary persons to get him out of his cell, out of Athens, to a safe place in Thessaly.
As riveting as the Apology is, I find Crito to be extraordinarily moving. Plato places an eloquence and emotive power in Crito's mouth that c ...more
As riveting as the Apology is, I find Crito to be extraordinarily moving. Plato places an eloquence and emotive power in Crito's mouth that c ...more
Death looms for Socrates but death is favourable to this 70-year-old man. Does he explain why? Yes, yes he does. Crito is not quite as good as the prior Apology but still wonderful. Socrates (Plato), I'm realising, is wonderful. The first "tetralogy" is almost done. I'll dabble around in some other dialogues before reading Republic. Then it's onto Aristotle.
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A conversation between the death sentenced Sokrates & his friend Kritón.
Kritón wants to help Sokrates escape, but Sokrates tells him to sit down and answer his questions about if it is morally right to do so or not.
To put it shortly, the questions we are dealing with here is;
- Is it ok to be wrong to someone if they have been wrong to you first? -
&
- Should you never be wrong to somebody no matter what the circumstance may be? Or Is it okay in some cases (look above)-
My answer?: Well. If yo ...more
Kritón wants to help Sokrates escape, but Sokrates tells him to sit down and answer his questions about if it is morally right to do so or not.
To put it shortly, the questions we are dealing with here is;
- Is it ok to be wrong to someone if they have been wrong to you first? -
&
- Should you never be wrong to somebody no matter what the circumstance may be? Or Is it okay in some cases (look above)-
My answer?: Well. If yo ...more
CRITO is Plato’s pithy, yet eloquent defense of an early version of the rule of law. In this short dialogue, he recreates Socrates’ conversation with Crito on the eve of Socrate’s death. Crito and others have arranged for Socrates to escape from prison and thereby avoid his sentence to die by drinking hemlock. But Socrates is not persuaded and convinces Crito that it is unprincipled not to obey the law even when one believes the outcome in a particular case is unjust. And not only then, but even
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This is the most powerful evangelical piece of pagan literature that I’ve read. Socrates is so very Christ-like: he’s not afraid of death, he’s extremely magnanimous, and he’s submitting to injustice because there’s a higher justice that will be accomplished through it. I love it.
Many consider this text problematic. Did Plato or his son write the text? The standard worldview of the time is not in place within this text. These are not problems that can be resolved. The issue of coming to an understanding must lie elsewhere. I propose that the rhetorical argument needs to be differently understood, understood from the perspective of a man preparing to die as soon as possible.
When Crito tells Socrates of how escape, to remember his children, to remember his friends, Socrat ...more
When Crito tells Socrates of how escape, to remember his children, to remember his friends, Socrat ...more
Truly a marvel.!!
My first reading of Plato.. And of Socrates.. I feel like a kid,excited at having got the book I've always wanted to have,humbled by the great mind.. The text I read,translation though it was,was beautiful in its style,use of words and the unquestionable logic of the master. Does it look like I'm keeping Socrates on a pedestal.? Well.. I truly am..
I was struck by the beauty of the logic,the way he tackles Crito's arguments.. it must feel strange when I say that I was more influ ...more
My first reading of Plato.. And of Socrates.. I feel like a kid,excited at having got the book I've always wanted to have,humbled by the great mind.. The text I read,translation though it was,was beautiful in its style,use of words and the unquestionable logic of the master. Does it look like I'm keeping Socrates on a pedestal.? Well.. I truly am..
I was struck by the beauty of the logic,the way he tackles Crito's arguments.. it must feel strange when I say that I was more influ ...more
I'm reading this as a part of The Trial and Death of Socrates as reprinted in the Classics of Western Philosophy. Translated by G.M.A. Grube.
This book is sort of like The Republic-lite. It is a towering example of political philosophy though it is short and somewhat controversial. This book has the titular character coming to bust Socrates out of prison. He soon discovers that at this point Socrates does not plan on leaving but is intent on validating himself by doing whatever the state commands ...more
This book is sort of like The Republic-lite. It is a towering example of political philosophy though it is short and somewhat controversial. This book has the titular character coming to bust Socrates out of prison. He soon discovers that at this point Socrates does not plan on leaving but is intent on validating himself by doing whatever the state commands ...more
So, Socrates is in prison and Crito comes and asks him to leave. (this is a fair request) They have a discussion over the justness of him escaping from his country's law, and Socrates wins. (raise your hand if you're surprised)
The one thing that I found interesting was that in the beginning Socrates stated that the opinion of the majority was not of any import - only the things that good people thought really mattered. Then half-way through the book he said that it would be wrong of him to escap ...more
The one thing that I found interesting was that in the beginning Socrates stated that the opinion of the majority was not of any import - only the things that good people thought really mattered. Then half-way through the book he said that it would be wrong of him to escap ...more
"They [the masses] would give life as readily as take it away, were it in their power; with as little understanding in each action".
If this is their justice, which is truly the most benevolent? ...more
If this is their justice, which is truly the most benevolent? ...more
My first ever college paper was about this dialogue. It was… how to say it… CRINGE 😫😫
Jul 14, 2019
Czarny Pies
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review of another edition
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Criton is one of four Platonic dialogues that deal with the trial and death of Socrates. I encourage everyone to read all four. The set is greater than the sum of its parts.
In terms of the sequence of events described Crtion occupies the third place. Having just been condemnedto death, Socrates debates with his friend Criton whether or not he should flee Athens to preserve his life. He concludes that having lived his life as a citizen of Athens, the just thing for him to do is to stay rather tha ...more
In terms of the sequence of events described Crtion occupies the third place. Having just been condemnedto death, Socrates debates with his friend Criton whether or not he should flee Athens to preserve his life. He concludes that having lived his life as a citizen of Athens, the just thing for him to do is to stay rather tha ...more
New review (14/07/2021):
In this powerful and tense short dialogue Crito attempts to convince Socrates to flee his coming execution. Most of Socrates' arguments appear sound, until the final few pages of the dialogue. In this part the personified Laws of Athens comes forward and argues for a form of the social contract, complete with phrases which are shockingly outlandish for modern morality (e.g. "you are behaving like the lowest slave, trying to run away in spite of the contracts and undertaki ...more
In this powerful and tense short dialogue Crito attempts to convince Socrates to flee his coming execution. Most of Socrates' arguments appear sound, until the final few pages of the dialogue. In this part the personified Laws of Athens comes forward and argues for a form of the social contract, complete with phrases which are shockingly outlandish for modern morality (e.g. "you are behaving like the lowest slave, trying to run away in spite of the contracts and undertaki ...more
There are those who go against the grain
(Even if it results in pain),
And those who conform to the Many.
Socrates goes against the grain,
Yet submits himself (as he here explains)
To the punishment willed by the Many.
He could disobey the verdict,
And flee like a lonesome hermit,
But thought it would harm the city.
As his nationalism was earnest,
If the polis wronged his person
He’d abide, not flee from self-pity.
(Even if it results in pain),
And those who conform to the Many.
Socrates goes against the grain,
Yet submits himself (as he here explains)
To the punishment willed by the Many.
He could disobey the verdict,
And flee like a lonesome hermit,
But thought it would harm the city.
As his nationalism was earnest,
If the polis wronged his person
He’d abide, not flee from self-pity.
Notes on Critón
1. The central question here it is stuff that has been haunting humanity for centuries: Is it correct to respond to an injustice with another injustice? In an ideal world, the question would be meaningless, an easy 'no'. Consider the context though: Socrates has been sentenced to death through false accusations and a viced trial. Is it correct for him to escape/avoid this unjust sentence? It speaks volumes about the eloquence of Platón's narrative and Sócrates' ideas that they can ...more
1. The central question here it is stuff that has been haunting humanity for centuries: Is it correct to respond to an injustice with another injustice? In an ideal world, the question would be meaningless, an easy 'no'. Consider the context though: Socrates has been sentenced to death through false accusations and a viced trial. Is it correct for him to escape/avoid this unjust sentence? It speaks volumes about the eloquence of Platón's narrative and Sócrates' ideas that they can ...more
To live and die is to do so justly! It seems to me that repaying an unjust law with injustice is morally wrong. St. Paul echoes Socrates when he states that we must “not repay anyone evil for evil.” Now it is significant to point out that unjust laws exist, but we must be wise enough to deal with them properly. I am especially reminded of the movement that is often associated with the town in which I reside—the anti-segregation movement in Birmingham, Alabama. So, the efforts of desegregationist
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Its possible that its the translation that didn't engage me as much the dialogue intended to. Continuing where "Apology" left off, Crito visits Socrates in prison in hopes of busting Socrates out. The apologiathat Socrates takes makes the entirety of this book.
Socrates takes a stand and stands strong on his principle. It is unfunny how easily his stance can be misconstrued as religious symbolism. Its incredibly not. The controversial part of the dialogue comes in ending paragraphs which is jarri ...more
Socrates takes a stand and stands strong on his principle. It is unfunny how easily his stance can be misconstrued as religious symbolism. Its incredibly not. The controversial part of the dialogue comes in ending paragraphs which is jarri ...more
Brilliant! Socrates has been condemned to death and what of it? I loved how Plato wrote this text as a conversation between Socrates and Crito. Should Socrates stay and accept the fate of his beloved city, or should he accept his friend's help and run from those who judged him wrongly? What would it mean to abandon his home and live in exile, after declaring he'd prefer death to this outcome? Could Socrates place himself above judgement, just because he didn't agree with the outcome? If he were
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3.5. Damn I would not want to get into an argument with Socrates. He presents a really well thought out argument and sticks firmly to his principles in a way not many would be able to. Some interesting ideas brought up and a lot more digestible than I thought it would be.
“In questions of just and unjust, fair and foul, good and evil, which are the subjects of our present consultation, ought we to follow the opinion of the many and to fear them; or the opinion of the one man who has understandin ...more
“In questions of just and unjust, fair and foul, good and evil, which are the subjects of our present consultation, ought we to follow the opinion of the many and to fear them; or the opinion of the one man who has understandin ...more
My first Socratic dialogue. Surprised by how easy It was to read. Will definitely read again. Socrates is fascinating. He seemed to live w philosophy of living is freedom and dying is freedom. At least from what I can see in my first essay. Neurons are lit up considering the time of Peloponnesian Wars in ancient Athens. Awaiting execution in prison. Noble for Crito to fight for his freedom; noble for Socrates to dialogue and think so rationally during what must’ve been a very stressful time. I w
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now this socrates guy really had his way with words didn't he
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On political obligation. Socrates’ commitment to the examined life is more impressive than his arguments.
I can't believe this is even a book......Oh, wait.......
...more
Read for the third time.
I consider Crito the weakest of Plato’s five dialogues. Socrates states that one should value the opinion of the expert over the opinion of the many and that we should stick to the expert even if it means death. The expert, in this case, Socrates, supposedly engaged in a social contract of sorts with the state through his own free will. It is wrong to break a contract because that does harm to society. Therefore, Socrates should accept his death.
The problem with this assertion is its intellectu ...more
The problem with this assertion is its intellectu ...more
So here in the dialog often thought of as the companion to the Apology, we have a very different Socrates. Where the Apology shows him testing the boundaries and ideals of a man's relationship with community/state/law, the Crito brings an absolutist Socrates to the conversation. Here the ideas of citizenship are examined...entirely from the viewpoint of the state, and the individual's interests are entirely subjugated to the desires of the state. Where in Apology we see a man claiming relief aga
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This is the first part of the series in which Socrates talks about why he’d rather die than face exile. You get the sense that virtue and justice mean something very specific relative to their warped meanings today. Virtue truly means to be a lover of truth and to uphold oneself with great character. (I should probably have a further discussion with someone about what exactly is meant by this definition).
Justice – it appears from the text – seems to be simply an agreement with the state made by ...more
Justice – it appears from the text – seems to be simply an agreement with the state made by ...more
Again, We don't read Plato for answers. We read him to ask the right questions.
The question arising as Socrates sits in prison, condemned to die, is, "Do I surrender to democracy's judgement and die willingly? Or do I fight the ruling, declaring myself right, and fight for my life?" Ok. That is two questions. Socrates generally comes to the conclusion that he has reaped the benefits of living in a democracy his entire life. Now that it is against him, how can he reject the ruling? I think it is ...more
The question arising as Socrates sits in prison, condemned to die, is, "Do I surrender to democracy's judgement and die willingly? Or do I fight the ruling, declaring myself right, and fight for my life?" Ok. That is two questions. Socrates generally comes to the conclusion that he has reaped the benefits of living in a democracy his entire life. Now that it is against him, how can he reject the ruling? I think it is ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classics and the ...: Holiday Interim II: Plato's Crito | 204 | 68 | Dec 28, 2013 06:58PM | |
| Politics: Critias | 1 | 3 | Oct 29, 2013 06:35AM | |
| Politics: Crito | 1 | 2 | Oct 15, 2013 07:59AM | |
| BCS Great Books C...: In what sense was Socrates a wise man? | 1 | 4 | Oct 08, 2013 12:09PM | |
| BCS Great Books C...: Notable quotes 2 | 2 | 3 | Oct 07, 2013 02:03PM | |
| Classical Self-Ed...: #2: Plato: Crito | 4 | 29 | Feb 17, 2012 09:20AM |
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(Greek: Πλάτων) (Arabic: أفلاطون) (Alternate Spelling: Platon, Platón, Platone)
Plato is a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western p ...more
Plato is a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western p ...more
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“Socrates: But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many?”
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