Dialogues of Plato - Crito

The dialogue, Crito, takes place between the trial and death of Socrates. Crito, a friend of Socrates, pays a visit to his cell with a plan for an easy escape. Crito expresses his belief that Socrates is wronging his family, friends, and himself. That is not Crito's only belief; he also states that Socrates will be abandoning a future voice for the children by agreeing to his death sentence. Crito says, "No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nurture and education" (44). This means that no man should be allowed to nurture and educate children if they are unwilling to continue. Socrates denies Crito's plan with his philosophical tongue. He will continue to be guided by reason, recognizing authority and his duty to obey the laws of Athens. Socrates speaks through the laws of Athens detailing the fact that he had not made an attempt to leave, which he was allowed to do, in order to experience another city. Therefore it remains his duty to abide by the laws of Athens. Socrates believes the laws will say, "all patriotic citizens will cast an evil eye upon you as a subverter of the laws, and you will confirm in the minds of the judges the justice of their own condemnation of you. For he who is the corrupter of the laws is more likely to be a corrupter of the young and foolish portion of mankind" (55). This means as Socrates travels to any other city, after his escape, the patriotic citizens will know he had challenged the laws. They will use that knowledge to verify their disapproval and believe that he will corrupt the young as he had the laws. The dialogue ends with the final conclusion from the laws; Socrates will be seen as more of an enemy, to the laws and the world, if he remains alive rather than dead. Socrates explains to Crito, this is the voice I hear and it keeps me from hearing anyone else. Crito is left speechless.