What Are Socrates Reasons For Not Escaping?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Therefore, his ideas, the slight fear of the danger of his friends but, most importantly, Socrates’

inherent passion for his principle of righteousness

is what specifically made him unable to break with his beliefs and, as a result, he refused to escape.

What is the master argument for why Socrates should not escape?

Socrates, who was convicted as an Athenian, chose not

to flee Athens because of his virtue as an Athenian and the loyalty to the state that follows

. If he chose to go into self-exile as Crito had suggested, he would undermine the fundamental system the state he pledges allegiance to was based upon.

What are Socrates reasons for why it is wrong for one to retaliate against those who do one harm?

Socrates believe that

it is wrong for one to fight evil with evil

and there for retaliation would be invoking the wrong way to handle the situation which he is in. He believes that he would be breaking his own ideology and breaking his word to follow the laws if he was to disobey his sentence.

What is the good life according to Socrates?

Socrates definition of the good life is being able to fulfill the “inner life” by inquiring and expanding the mind to the greatest extent possible. Socrates would agree with

the good life being more important than life itself

.

Why Socrates did not want to escape?

Not only would it be easy to rescue Socrates, Crito suggests, but Socrates is acting unjustly by remaining in prison. In refusing to escape,

he is treating himself as his enemies want to treat him, and so is wronging himself

.

Why did Socrates choose to be executed?

Basically, Socrates insisted on being executed because

he thought that was the only choice he had if he did not want to betray his principles

. He could have, for example, opted to be acquitted if he would give up his teaching, but he felt that his mission in life was to do just exactly that — to go around teaching.

Why is Crito worried about his reputation?

b) He is concerned about his reputation. He

worries that people will think that he was unwilling to spend the money to help Socrates escape

.

What does Socrates believe is a fair punishment for his crimes?

The jury voted, found Socrates guilty and asked him to propose an alternative punishment to

the death penalty

. Socrates replied that his punishment should be a reward, such as the honor that Athens gives to Olympic athletes, and the offended jury gave him the death penalty.

How does Crito try to convince Socrates?

Crito has bribed the guards and is encouraging Socrates to escape.

SOcrates uses moral reasoning and the socratic method

to convince crito that socrates would be violating his moral principles if he escaped. So even though socrates believes he is innocent, he reasons that he must remain in prison.

What does Socrates say about public opinion?

Socrates, on the other hand, insists

that the truth is fully independent from public opinion

. For this reason, there’s no reason to worry about how others perceive one’s actions, so long as they’re undertaken in accordance with the greater good.

What does Socrates value more than life?


Virtue

. Socrates strongly believed (unlike modern society) that the cultivation of virtue is the most important pursuit in life. He believed that virtue leads to a good and fulfilling life. The virtuous person is one who does well for society, and is in control of themselves and their desires.

What are Socrates reasons for his conclusion that it is always wrong to break the law?


Socrates made an agreement with the city: he knew about its laws and chose to live there despite being free to leave

(51d). Therefore, it is wrong for Socrates to disobey the law.

How can you live a meaningful life according to Socrates?

  1. “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” …
  2. “Let him that would move the world first move himself.” …
  3. “Envy is the ulcer of the soul.” …
  4. “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” …
  5. “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.”

What is the famous line of Socrates?



The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing

.” “The unexamined life is not worth living.” “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.”

Is the main idea of Socrates of good living?

Socrates’ definition of the good life means that there is more to life than just living your life day to day in the same pattern. Socrates believes that

in order to truly live a good life

, you need to think about your existence and ask questions about the things around you.

Does Socrates believe in God?

Did you know? Although he never outright rejected the standard Athenian view of religion, Socrates’

beliefs were nonconformist

. He often referred to God rather than the gods, and reported being guided by an inner divine voice.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.