In his Apology Plato's Socrates clearly indicates he would continue to philosophize even if the court ordered him not to--clearly he does not believe one must obey the laws of the state. In his Crito, however, he accepts a death sentence and refuses to escape from an unjust conviction--he chooses to obey the state's laws. It seems there is an inconsistency or contradiction here--either one has to obey the laws or one doesn't! Which is Plato's real view? If Plato's Socrates is willing to disobey a bad law which says "Don't philosophize," why won't he disobey the state when it comes to life and death?
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