The Apology vs the Crito

There is clearly an ambiguous area between the Apology and the Crito. One may easily be confused on the subject of whether the laws may be broken or if they must be upheld under all circumstances. The most plausible answer is that one should decide whether or not to break a law, just as Socrates had; meaning that one should decide whether the law in itself is virtuous. Socrates says that if one truly intends to seek virtue than that person will find it. Everyone has a different purpose in life. Socrates’ position was that of a gadfly. He annoyed, bothered, and cross-examined his fellow citizens of Athens in attempting to produce a society that examined its way of living and therefore brought virtue with him.

In the Apology, Socrates reveals that his purpose is to become a gadfly to Athens. Socrates believes that it is this lifestyle of self-examination that one must follow in order to become virtuous. His desire to be virtuous leads the Oracle to give Socrates the title of the wisest man in Athens. “But the truth”, says Socrates in the Apology, “is that God only is wise; and by his answer he intends to show that the wisdom of men is worth little or nothing. (Plato p8)." At first, Socrates doesn’t perceive of himself as being incredibly wise, but also realizes that most of the people who were considered to be the great minds of Athens are, in reality, not wise at all. Therefore, it is likely that Socrates did think that he possessed a greater wisdom then his peers that were questioned. Socrates then concludes that anyone is capable of reaching his level of wisdom. The true wisdom of Socrates is not due to a great amount of knowledge that he possesses, but instead is the realization that he possesses very little knowledge. In this realization is where true virtue exists. Socrates believes he is merely an example of this accomplished wisdom for the Oracle says "He, O men, is the wisest, who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing (Plato p8)." Basically, Socrates’ defense to the jury is not that he is guilty of the infractions that he is being tried for, but rather that he has been instructed by the God to live this lifestyle. It is his duty to continue his philosophical teachings so that he can bring good to the city of Athens. Socrates brings an even greater co

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