Introduction to Philosophy Slide for Seventh Class
I. Introductions:
II. Questions/Comments from last time.
III. Continuing Through the Crito:
Crito, the conclusion of "Justice and Escape" [46b-50a], and "Is he a philosopher?"
The Laws' Speeches--Who is speaking (Socrates, Athens' Laws [the particular laws of the particular state], or "LAW" [natural law]?
50b "You would overturn the state."
50d "The City is like a parent."
How so, how not?
51c-d You must persuade or obey.
Let's go back to 18b in the Apology where he says: "There have been many who have accused me to you for many years now, and none of their accusations are true. These I fear much more than I fear Antyus...." Does he really fear them? Fear for them?
Questions and Discussion
52 "You have several agreements with the City.
Implied agreements.
Explicit agreements.
54b "There is no advantage in escaping."
Questions and Discussion
54d Socrates' "Corbantic experience."
The status of the argument: Justice and Escape vs. "The Laws' Speeches."
The status of the arguments' premises--knowledge? Socrates disobeys the order to "to bring Leon from Salamis" [32c-d], and he would disobey a law forbidding philosophizing; but he won't escape from jail? Ah, "persuade or obey." But he doesn't try to persuade at 32c-d: "...I showed again, not in words but in action, that, if it were not rather vulgar to say so, death is something I couldn't care less about, but that my whole concern is not to do anything unjust or impious. That government, powerful as it was, did not frighten me into any wrongdoing....I went home."
Questions and Discussion
Discussion Questions
Midcoast Senior College Website
Email: hauptli@fiu.edu
Last revised: 05/03/21