In the suggested passage, the philosopher revolves around the price of freedom and whether it could be achieved by any means. If to speak about the main idea of this very text, it could be determined as the essence of the cogitations about justice, injustice, and the appropriate response to these phenomena. Being imprisoned, Socrates decides not to escape as it contradicts his understanding of the law and the way it works (Plato 56). Thus, the selected passage shows all disadvantages and problems a person will have to face if he decides to leave and become an outcast. He will have to look at himself with suspicion as on the destroyer of laws (Plato 56). Additionally, many other problems will arise, and make the life of a runner impossible.
In such a way, the given passage could be considered one of the most important parts of the whole text. It presents readers with the idea that a person consists of a set of concepts that determine his/her attitude to particular phenomena, including justice and injustice. If a person acts contrary to these beliefs, he/she loses his/her identity and becomes an outcast. Moreover, an individual who alters perspectives on different issues is not worth being respected as he/she betrays the most significant values and beliefs that are part of human nature.
Thus, this idea is fundamental to the whole text. It describes the dialogue between Socrates and his friend Crito who suggests he escape (Plato 56). However, the famous philosopher refuses to do it as it contradicts his ideas of justice. Injustice could not be an appropriate response to injustice as it will result in the appearance of numerous problems and undermine the basis of society. For this reason, a person should act by his/her values and beliefs as the only way to cultivate a fair attitude and demonstrate his/her innocence.
The passage also introduces ideas of the social contract theory of government. It states that individuals surrender some of their freedoms with the primary aim to establish a particular legal environment in which individuals will live governed by their rulers. In such a way, any person living in society is limited in his/her actions since the first days of his life (Plato 56). That is why Socrates cannot run. He is a part of this world, and he acts concerning the basic rules that regulate its existence. He might not be satisfied with them; however, it does not mean that he can violate them to cultivate injustice and new problems.
The selected text could be analyzed regarding other readings that discuss the freedom of will, the concept of justice, and peoples readiness to struggle for their beliefs. In such a way, we could observe the discussion over the role of an individual in the society, his/her place in it, and how a set of perspectives on a particular issue might impact a persons decisions. Everyone knows that Socrates is sentenced to death and he drinks poison. Moreover, he also perfectly realizes his destiny. However, he still refuses to act in a way that violates the law even if this law turns out to be unfair. In other words, Socrates suffers from his conscience that does not allow him to become an outcast. He realizes that by acting in the wrong way he will lose the respect of people who now love him. For this reason, this option is unacceptable for him.
The reading also raises several important questions about the nature of human beings and their relations with society. For instance, a discussion about the value of human life could be initiated. As it comes from the dialogue, Socrates sacrifices his life to protect his vision of justice and society. In such a way, the law and some moral values become more important than an individual who might be killed just to prove the power of the existing system and its ability to manage peoples destinies. This controversy gives rise to an ethical dilemma as traditionally the human life is considered the most important value that should be protected by any means.
Thus, Socrates answers this question by himself. He will better sacrifice his life and die than betray his beliefs about law and justice. He is ready to do it because otherwise he will not be Socrates and he will again die but in his own eyes. In such a way, the ethical dilemma becomes resolved by an individual who acts by his principles.
Altogether, the selected passage becomes extremely important for the in-depth understanding of the whole text and its basic ideas. We could observe cogitations about the nature of justice, injustice, and how a person might respond to them. The main thing is not to betray specific values that comprise our individuality and act in a way that will not result in the appearance of new cases of injustice. Socrates poses extremely significant questions about society and the role of an individual in it.
Work Cited
Plato. Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo. Hackett Publishing Company, 2002.
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