Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume 1
CHAPTER X.
Kriton.
General purpose of the Kriton 425
Subject of the dialogue--interlocutors _ib._
Answer of Sokrates to the appeal made by Kriton 426
He declares that the judgment of the general public is not worthy of trust: he appeals to the judgment of the one Expert, who is wise on the matter in debate _ib._
Principles laid down by Sokrates for determining the question with Kriton. Is the proceeding recommended just or unjust? Never in any case to act unjustly 427
Sokrates admits that few will agree with him, and that most persons hold the opposite opinion: but he affirms that the point is cardinal _ib._
Pleading supposed to be addressed by the Laws of Athens to Sokrates, demanding from him implicit obedience 428
Purpose of Plato in this pleading--to present the dispositions of Sokrates in a light different from that which the Apology had presented--unqualified submission instead of defiance _ib._
Harangue of Sokrates delivered in the name of the Laws, would have been applauded by all the democratical patriots of Athens 430
The harangue insists upon topics common to Sokrates with other citizens, overlooking the specialties of his character 431
Still Sokrates is represented as adopting the resolution to obey, from his own conviction; by a reason which weighs with him, but which would not weigh with others _ib._
The harangue is not a corollary from this Sokratic reason, but represents feelings common among Athenian citizens 432
Emphatic declaration of the authority of individual reason and conscience, for the individual himself _ib._
The Kriton is rhetorical, not dialectical. Difference between Rhetoric and Dialectic 433
The Kriton makes powerful appeal to the emotions, but overlooks the ratiocinative difficulties, or supposes them to be solved _ib._
Incompetence of the general public or [Greek: i)diô=tai]--appeal to the professional Expert 435
Procedure of Sokrates after this comparison has been declared--he does not name who the trustworthy Expert is _ib._
Sokrates acts as the Expert himself: he finds authority in his own reason and conscience 436