Crito
Platonic dialogue on justice and Socrates' refusal to escape prison.
Crito (KRY-toh or KREE-toh; Ancient Greek: Κρίτων [krítɔːn]) is a dialogue written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. It depicts a conversation between Socrates and his wealthy friend Crito of Alopece regarding justice, injustice, and the appropriate response to injustice. The dialogue follows Socrates' imprisonment, just after the events of the Apology, and contains an ancient statement of the social contract theory of government.
- Author
- Plato
- Characters
- Socrates of Alopece, Crito of Alopece
- Field
- Philosophy
- Known for
- Dialogue on justice, injustice, and the social contract; Socrates' refusal to escape prison
Lore & Background
Crito has come to see Socrates because he has learned his execution will take place the next day, and wishes to rescue his friend. Crito has planned to bribe all of the guards and assures Socrates he has enough money to see the plan through. After being rescued, Socrates would be taken to a home in Thessaly. Crito argues that if Socrates is executed, Crito will suffer a personal misfortune, his sons will be deprived of privileges, and it will reflect poorly on Crito and his friends. Socrates responds by saying the opinions of the educated should be taken into consideration, and that damage to the soul in the form of injustice makes life worthless for a philosopher. He personifies the Laws of Athens to argue that to wrong the state, even in reaction to an injustice, would be an injustice. Socrates concludes that if he accepts his execution, he will be wronged by men rather than the law, remaining just.
Reader's Guide
Crito is significant as one of the few Platonic dialogues that appear to be unaffected by Plato's opinions on the matter. It presents an ancient statement of the social contract theory of government, arguing that citizens have an obligation to obey the laws of their state. In contemporary discussions, the meaning of Crito is debated to determine whether it is a plea for unconditional obedience to the laws of a society. The dialogue has been interpreted by philosophers such as David Hume, who made reference to it as the only ancient text that holds the idea of a citizen's implicit promise of loyalty. The Roman philosopher Cicero interpreted Crito to mean citizens are obliged to serve the state out of gratitude. Crito is widely considered to be a genuine dialogue, generally one of the 'early' dialogues, though some doubt has been raised about its authenticity.
Did You Know?
- The Epicurean philosopher Idomeneus of Lampsacus claimed the escape plan came from Aeschines of Sphettus rather than Crito.
- The philosopher David Hume made reference to Crito as the only ancient text that holds the idea of a citizen's implicit promise of loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Crito in Plato's dialogue?
Crito is a wealthy Athenian friend of Socrates who serves as the interlocutor in Plato's short dialogue bearing his name. He visits Socrates in prison and repeatedly urges him to arrange an escape, but Socrates ultimately refuses.
What is the main topic of Plato's Crito?
The dialogue examines whether a person may justly commit an injustice in retaliation for one suffered, focusing specifically on whether Socrates should flee his death sentence. It also articulates the moral obligations a citizen owes to the laws and the state that raised them.
Why does Socrates refuse to escape prison in Crito?
Socrates reasons that by choosing to live under Athens' laws his entire adult life, he has entered an implicit agreement to accept its verdicts, including the one sentencing him to death. He holds that fleeing would actively destroy the legal and moral order that gives his own life coherence.
What is the social contract argument in Crito?
Plato presents an early statement of social contract theory through Socrates' claim that a citizen tacitly consents to the state's authority simply by remaining within its borders. Breaking that tacit agreement through escape constitutes an act of injustice, regardless of how the original sentence was reached.
Where does Crito fit in the sequence of Socrates' trial dialogues?
Crito is set in the days between the Apology (the courtroom defense) and the Phaedo (the final hours before execution). It picks up with Socrates already imprisoned and awaiting his hemlock sentence, bridging the gap between his narrow conviction and his death.
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