On Socrates argument in The Crito is actually an argument developed by Essay

On Socrates argument in The Crito is actually an argument developed by each PHI 101 student that explicates and evaluates Socrates argument in The Crito. S - Essay Example More importantly, Socrates emphasized in his argument against Crito that he had to follow the law. The first premise of the argument of Socrates is, â€Å"If a citizen actively or tacitly accepts the benefits of the States Laws, then that citizen agrees to abide by all those Laws.† The second premise is, â€Å"Socrates actively accepted the benefits of the States Laws. The conclusion is, â€Å"Therefore, Socrates must obey the Laws and command to drink hemlock rather than flee Athens.† Although Socrates’ argument sounds theoretically possible, the problems with the two premises as well as his faulty answers to Crito’s suggestions somehow makes the whole argument unsound. Socrates’ case was that of a certain death penalty through drinking of the hemlock. Crito arrived in prison in Athens in order to convince Socrates to escape for that was obviously and logically his only chance to escape. Crito offers him four reasons to escape. First, he offered him a bribe of money. Second, he told him that it was Socrates’ friends desire to help him. Third, Crito said that Socrates’ survival would benefit the majority. Lastly, Crito emphasized the idea of the importance of posterity to Socrates. Nevertheless, Socrates refused for the fact that none of these four ideas mean the good and upright life that Socrates has been trying to emphasize. According to Socrates, â€Å"†¦the most important thing is not life, but the good life† (Crito 48b, 51). The basis of this good and morally upright life is the good life that would result if Socrates did not disobey the laws of Athens, which now makes up the essence of his argument. Therefore, for Socrates, the alternative to the evil decision to escape is the morally upright decision to stay and obey the laws of Athens in the name of justice. However, the major premise of Socrates’ argument has flaws of its own. It says, â€Å"If a citizen actively or tacitly accepts the benefits of the