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Does Plato successfully demonstrate that injustice does not pay? Throughout the character of Socrates, Plato illustrates successfully that injustice does not pay, while justice does. Throughout both the Apology and the Crito, Socrates argues that he sees himself as a just person. Within the Apology, he tries to make the jury understand how his accusers were mistaken and how virtuous he really is. Similarly, in the Crito he supports his decision of death based on how any other option would negatively impact his life.
One of the charges brought up against Socrates is corrupting the youth of Athens. His accusers say that Socrates is guilty of wrongdoing because he busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth and teaches these things to others (Vlastos 192). However, Socrates argues that he is not a teacher at all. He does not receive a fee for anything that he does, instead the children follow him around the city listening and questioning him. His proof of this is his wealth, or rather lack there of. Socrates is not interested in money because wealth does not bring about excellence, but excellence makes wealth and everything else good for men, both individually and collectively (Bambrough 84).
Although Socrates may not have wealth in the manner of material possessions, he does have an amazing amount of wealth where he feels it counts most, his soul. He is at peace with himself and his thoughts. This is apparent when he says, I did not follow that path that would have made me of no use to you or myself (Bambrough 86). Therefore, Socrates shows that the condition of his soul is his highest priority. He does not think that material possessions can positively affect the state of ones soul. He feels this is very important.
Socrates reasoning shows that he was more concerned with being as good and as wise as possible, which greatly affects the parts of the soul. Moreover, when he is sentenced to death, his just characteristics shine brightly through the dark shadows that surround him. He does not fear death as so many do, because a wise man does not fear something he knows little or nothing about. Therefore, Socrates would rather meet his death, even though he was wrongly accused, then spend the rest of his life living in an injustice brought on by his own guilt and sorrow. He could not continue to go on living being false to those who really know him and more importantly, himself. The concepts of justice Socrates stated in the Apology where followed up in the following chapter, the Crito. (Taylor 148) His friend, Crito, has come to where he was being held in prison to try and talk him into escaping his death and fleeing elsewhere.
Socrates listened carefully to what his friend had to say, but kindly refused his offer. Socrates had lived in Athens his entire life and raised a family there. He must have liked it well enough to continue to live there, so that meant he had to follow the rules of the city as well. Since he has obeyed the Athenian Laws for seventy years, there is no excuse as to why he should break them now. Because virtue and justice are mans most precious possession, along with lawful behavior and the laws Socrates would have been contradicting himself by leaving which, in turn, would have caused injustice within his soul (Taylor 153).
When assessed his penalty, Socrates could have chosen to be exiled but chose death instead. He opted for death because he could not imagine living his life in some distant place where the people could turn against him just easily as those he has known for so long have. Socrates felt if you do this deed, you will not think it better or more just or more pious here... nor will it be better for you when you arrive yonder (Vlastos 210). He knew how he acted in his life would affect the gods, thus affecting his life after death.
Socrates did not want to end his life with a tarnished soul caused by his lack of virtues. Not trying to escape his ill-deserved punishment showed not only wisdom and courage, but also balanced the harmony within his soul allowing him to greet death peacefully. Words Count: 715. Bibliography: Bambrough, E. ed. , New Essays on Plato and Aristotle. New York: Harper Collins, 1995.
Taylor, A. E. Plato: The Man and His Work. New York: Random House, 1989. Vlastos, G. Platonic Studies.
London: Pluto Press, 1992.
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Research essay sample on Does Plato Successfully Demonstrate That Injustice Not Pay
