Intro. to Philosophy: Plato's Crito

In this lecture from my Fall 2011 Introduction to Philosophy class at Marist College, we discuss Plato's Crito.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Crito
• Philosophy
• Plato
• Civil Disobedience
• Laws
• Socrates
• Wisdom
• practical reasoning
• marist
• sadler

[FoolishOrc]

hello Mr. Sadler

what do you think about the contradiction between: Socrates saying he knows nothing (especially in the Apology) and the way he appears to be certain of many things in Crito?

do you think it is possible to argue that a contradiction doesn't exist?

is it about distinguishing between what you know and what you don't? knowledge/truth as opposed to opinions? or is it about realizing you cant know everything, or know the greater truth?

i would be grateful for some general direction.

[gbisadler]

@FoolishOrc Good question -- which touches on an issue about Socrates debated since ancient times. I do think that the surface-level contradiction turns out not to be a real one. If you look carefully at the Apology, it does appear that Socrates is making implicit knowledge claims in that dialogue.

Interestingly, in the Crito, you're right, he does appear to know quite a few matters-- but he doesn't claim to be the wise man explicitly.

[gbisadler]

Thanks! I'm glad that you like the videos and my teaching style. It's unfortunate, but not everyone who is a good scholar is necessarily a good teacher -- it took me a while to learn how to engage my students well (including teaching in a prison -- but that's another story!)

[FoolishOrc]

or maybe a reference

Thanks in advance!

[peacehippy88]

I'm in an ancient philosophy class right now, and just letting you know that you are a much better teacher than the one I have to pay to listen to.

Thank-you for posting these!