Question 1
Morality is at the center of the discussion in the assigned reading and this is evidenced by the fact that Socrates tries to distinguish right and wrong. In the course of his dialogue with Crito, he observes that injustice often harms and shames the offender, hence believes that harm is usually a consequence of wrongdoing. In this regard, Plato insinuates that disagreements usually arise because an individual fails to treat another in the proper manner and that harm then arises when people hold different opinions regarding each other’s beliefs thereby causing individuals to do things in their own way. Accordingly, when people do things their way in disregard of the others, they end up causing harm to others who believe that one should approach certain issues in a specific way.
There is no justification for causing harm to an individual in retaliation for not doing things according to one’s beliefs because such actions become a source of shame and harm to the offender. This aspect is apparent in Euthyphro, where he is willing to prosecute his own father because the latter has committed an offense against an individual responsible for causing harm to another. Although it appears as though the father had actually done a reasonable thing, Socrates believes that the action was unjustified given that he had to go through the humiliation of being prosecuted by his own son.
Question 2
A major thesis for an essay in relation to the assigned material would be one that focuses on the moral aspect of humanity. An idea that would lay emphasis on the importance of individuals assuming responsibility for their actions would be a befitting premise. To ensure that individuals are able to be responsible for their actions, Socrates suggests there should be no manipulation by those who are cultured.
A different thesis for the essay could consider the character of morality where the argument would focus on the fact that the level of understanding of right and wrong determines one’s moral and immoral acts.
