rates awaits execution. The dialogue is a debate between Socrates and Crito about whetherSocrates should escape. As the dialogue opens, Crito has arrived at theprison before dawn and sits by the bedside of Socrates, still asleep. When Socrates awakens, he tells Crito of a dream he has had. A womanin his dream implies that Socrates will soon find his home; death isforthcoming. Crito tells Socrates that he can use his influence and moneyto help Socrates escape. Crito is afraid that other people will think heshould have done more to save Socrates’ life. Socrates admonishesCrito no to value the opinion of the many, but of the few good men worthconsidering. Crito suggests Socrates is acting out of regard for him andother friends, and argues that Socrates is, en effect, committing suicideand betraying his children. Crito accuses Socrates of taking the easy wayout and tells him that others will think him cowardly if he does not escape.Socrates counters that he cannot disobey the laws of Athens after Athenshas granted him certain rights and has protected him. He cannot defy thelaws for his own convenience. He argues that he cannot put away thereasons he has honored for 70 years, unless there is good reason to doso. Socrates claims that one should only regard the opinions of the good,not the evil; he uses the analogy of the student of gymnastics that issupposed to listen to one man, and ignore the many; otherwise he willharm his body. The just man must only listen to the understanding;otherwise, he will harm his soul. Socrates says that first they mustdetermine if escape is the right thing to do. If Crito can convince him, hewill escape; otherwise, he will not. First, Socrates argues that one shouldnever do wrong intentionally, and return evil for evil, or wrong for wrong;therefore, just because the sentence is unjust, if escaping is wrong, hemust remain in jail. Socrates imagines the government appearing beforehim to interroga...
