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Socrates

 

            In the Crito, Socrates argues that he has tacitly agreed to never break the laws of Athens. In his argument, he states that since Athens brought him up, and was the place his parents decided to bring him into the world, he has a duty to uphold the laws of Athens [Crito, 53d]. Also, he was educated in Athens throughout his life, and it made him the man he is. Socrates also states that the laws the city brings forth are not, "savage commands to do whatever we order" [Crito, 52a]. He has the chance to voice his beliefs if he disagrees with a law. If he doesn't like the city of Athens, he can leave and live anywhere else he pleases. By staying in Athens he has tacitly agreed to never break the laws. This argument, which Socrates gives, cannot be adopted to show that I have tacitly agreed to never break the laws of the United States of America. His argument is defective in several ways. One is when he says that even though the laws are unjust, you must follow them. Secondly, his argument does not work, to show that I have tacitly agreed to not break the laws of the U.S., because he refers to people who are able to participate in the law making are the ones who tacitly agreed to not break the laws.
             The laws of the United States are made to protect the people who live in the U.S. People in the United States have the freedom of speech. They can voice out any opinion and they have. People who break laws are punished through a court system. One is held .
             innocent until proven guilty. Citizens also have the opportunity to express their beliefs through voting, state representatives and through city halls if they want to change a law. Overall, the people of the country run the country if everyone participates.
             In Socrates argument he states that he could have left his country if he didn't like how the country was ruling [52e]. Since he stayed in Athens, he has an agreement with Athens to never break the law [53a].


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