Going Back: "Crito" by Plato

What is it?

- A short dialogue of 40 pages written by Plato

Who is it about?

- Socrates

What is it about?

- The story of Socrates awaiting his execution in his prison cell

Why was Socrates in jail?

- He was put in jail because he was accused of “corrupting the youth”

- Questioning traditional beliefs, gods, and asking philosophical questions

= Basically, being rebellious and not listening to his superiors.

What happens?

- Crito, one of Socrates’ friend, arrives to the jail cell and tries to persuade him to escape.

- Socrates refuses, because he was voted by the citizens to be sent to jail and doesn’t want to violate the “law of athens”.

So what's the main point?

- content justice ( fundamentally getting the right result)

- procedural justice (following the right procedures)

- Even though the verdict was wrong, Socrates argues procedural justice is more important. Since all proper procedures were taken during the trial, he will respect the outcome.