In the reading there are several instances when Crito asks Socrates what will the people think of him and his actions. He contemplates what people will think of him if he doesn't convince Socrates to live. However what kind of friend would he be if he doesn't choose to accept Socrates wishes no matter how they affect him?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Is it for Friend or Self?
Crito gives Socrates numerous reasons for why he should escape prison. Many referring to how it would directly affect him and how he would be seen in society. This brings me to ask the question, does he want to help Socrates out of jail because it directly benefits him or is it genuinely because he doesn't want to see his friend harmed?
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I don't think it would benefit Crito in any way to help Socrates flee. In fact, he is putting himself at risk if he does. The only benefit for him is to help a friend because he doesn't want his friend harmed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think Crito is arguing with Socrates because he believes Socrates is thinking about the situation the wrong way. Sometimes you do need to try and save people from themselves, or at least, convince them to save themselves.
I can understand why you wonder if helping Socrates to escape might also benefit Crito, because Crito says that he’s concerned that people might think he was cheap or greedy if he didn’t pay for Socrates’ escape.
DeleteI think Socrates’ freedom was more important to Crito than Crito’s reputation but reputation was more important to Socrates than freedom.
I agree with your points Nicole but if someone is primarily concerned with the good fortune of their friend why would they care about what others think?
DeletePlease turn off your word verification!!!!!
ReplyDeletelol I apologize about that Nicole. I changed took it off
DeleteI think Crito was looking out for himself more than for Socrates. While he does want to be a good friend, and save Socrates from death, he always comes back to the argument of "What will people think of me if I don't help you?" In the end, Crito seems as if he is only trying to save face by helping Socrates.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, if he was primarily concerned with his friends escape why would he worry about what other people thought?
DeleteI think we may be missing the point of Crito's rhetorical appeal to the people -- he is saying anything he think might sway Socrates, because he does not want to lose his friend, not because he is concerned about his own reputation.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Socrates is not concerned with his reputation in the ordinary sense. He is concerned first with doing the right thing -- that which on reflection seems best whatever the cost or appearance among the ignorant. Thus he is indifferent to what random people think of him. He is concerned, however, that if he makes himself into a criminal by flaunting Athenian law, those who know that he actually did this will rightly condemn him, or (worse) imitate him, thereby undermining Athens.