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What argument did Socrates make for obeying Athenian law in Plato's Crito?
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Philosophy of law
Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.
In Plato’s dialogue Crito, Socrates argues that he is morally obligated to obey the laws of Athens despite his unjust death sentence. His reasoning is grounded in the relationship between the citizen and the state:
- Receipt of Benefits: Socrates contends that because he has lived his entire life under the protection and benefits provided by Athenian law, he has entered into an implicit agreement to abide by those laws.1
- Tacit Consent: By never leaving the city to protest or seek a different life elsewhere, Socrates argues that he has given his tacit consent to the authority of the state.1
- Duty to Persuade or Obey: He posits that a citizen has a fundamental duty either to persuade the state to change its laws or to obey them. Having failed to persuade the jury of his innocence at his trial, he is bound to respect the legal outcome.1
- Integrity: Ultimately, Socrates rejects the offer to escape because doing so would be inconsistent with his commitment never to commit a wrong, as breaking the law would show disrespect for the legal system and harm his community.2