Socrates and Civic Obligation
...one wrong “because in [the state] he disobeys his parents, also those who brought him up, and because, in spite of his agreement, he neither obeys us now, if we do something wrong, does he try to persuade us to do better” . Since his parents were initially married by the state, and through it allowed the baring of children, Athens is ultimately his parent. Upon this principle is what Socrates’ argument is based. Just as in Socrates’ time, it is obvious that everyone has some form of agreement to his or her state or country, especially in modern times. Nowadays, we pay taxes to reside in our town, state, and country. The association between state and the individual is that of a reciprocal relationship, where in exchange for tax collection and certain civic duties performed by the individual, the state guarantees a number of necessities essential to the welfare and prosperity of both. From taxes collected, the state funds protection of the individual through police departments and the military, educational programs, and health and legal services. In exchange, the people are expected in times of war to fight for the country, and attend jury duty as a part of their civic obligation. If at any time one violates the laws set forth by the government to the extent that the person must stand trial, he or she should follow through with the assigned punishment and accept all penalties for his or her wrongdoing. All these mutual obligations and guarantees are still connected to that of Socrates’ time, as even then, the citizen was expected to pay taxes and was allowed to live freely in return for abiding by the laws of Athens and becoming the most obedient and compliant individual one could possibly be. Yet, what if an individual were to stand trial and be proven guilty, when in fact, he or she is truly innocent? S...