The topic I have chosen to discuss is as follows: Examine the assumption, made in the Crito, that "one should never do wrong in return, nor injure any person, whatever injury one has suffered at his hands" within the context of civil disobedience. I will show how civil disobedience must incorporate pointing out the weaknesses of society, while showing respect for the rest of society and its authorities.Civil disobedience is disobeying the unjust rules of society in a nonviolent way to create tension and raise consciousness. A civil disobedient is a person who feels strongly about a certain part of society as being corrupt. They will act upon these feelings by protesting, boycotti ...view middle of the document...
He brings up other cases of famous civil disobedients, such as when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey the laws set up by their king Nebuchadnezzar that banned them from worshiping God. He also cites the Boston Tea Party as an example of civil disobedience, but I don't think that this is a very good example. The people who participated in this did resort to what I consider violence. They destroyed property that wasn't theirs. Another reason that they are not a good example is that they disguised themselves as Indians, in order to avoid getting caught. As I said before, a civil disobedient must submit to authorities, not attempt to evade them.Socrates had a decision to make when he was approached by Crito while he was in jail. He was given the chance for what Crito promised to be an easy escape. Socrates decision to stay in jail was founded on his belief that the laws of Athens were in fact just and fair. It takes him some time to convince Crito of his position, but he was able to change Crito's mind. He pointed out the difference between what he feels are unjust laws, and the unjust manipulation and application of just and fair laws. He says, "As things stand... (Socrates) has been treated unjustly not by (the) Laws, but by human beings." He goes on to state t...
