The Last Days of Socrates

Crito visits Socrates before dawn. The day of his execution is imminent, and Crito begs Socrates to allow his friends to spirit him away into exile. Socrates insists that he will only do so if he can find a just reason. Crito argues that it is unjust for Socrates not to escape, as he will be betraying himself and his sons, who he could still raise to be excellent men. Not escaping would be lazy and would make his friends seem cowardly, bringing shame on them. Crito is worried about what people will say.

Socrates argues that the only opinions they should be concerned with are “the right sort of opinions,” as a patient or athlete will only listen to the praises and criticisms of doctors and trainers, who have the applicable knowledge of specialists (102). Praise and criticism from those who do not have the “requisite knowledge” could have a “bad effect” hence should not be listened to (103). As in these cases and others like them, Socrates and his companions should not be shamed by criticism from ordinary citizens whose opinions will “corrupt and main” their souls, which are more valuable than their bodies (103). They should only care about the opinions of the just and the good.