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Socrates and Superiority
Author(s) -
Hanthan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the southern journal of philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.281
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2041-6962
pISSN - 0038-4283
DOI - 10.1111/j.2041-6962.2007.tb00051.x
Subject(s) - socrates , interpretation (philosophy) , obligation , epistemology , hierarchy , philosophy , state (computer science) , intentionality , moral obligation , computer science , law , political science , linguistics , algorithm
I propose an alternative interpretation of the Crito . The arguments that are typically taken to be Socrates' primary arguments against escape are actually supplementary arguments that rely on what I call the Superiority Thesis, the thesis that the state and its citizens are members of a moral hierarchy where those below are tied by bonds of obligation to those above. I provide evidence that Socrates holds this thesis, demonstrate how it resolves a number of apparent difficulties, and show why my interpretation is preferable to competing interpretations.