Plato, who is a famous individual even today, came from a very good background of an Athenian Family. His family had very critical political connections. Socrates was the main person who was an influence on Plato’s life. The uncle to Plato named Charmides knew Socrates very well, and he might have been the one who introduced Plato to him (Socrates).
More essentially, Socrates was always observed in action by Plato. It was very risky to spend time with Socrates because he used to offend those that had a desire to be elite members. In addition, he used to insult those that were in power. Many of the young individuals of Athens were very happy with going to the downtown market and watching him (Socrates) while he ripped apart the elders’, politicians’, and the military’s arguments.
More about Socrates is read from the dialogues that were written by Plato when he was alive. The dialogues written by Plato were in the form of plays. However, they lacked stage directions, as they were written so that they could be read rather than being performed. The dialogues and other texts like the Dr. King’s letter have tried to give their views on the obligations of citizens.
In Crito, he (Crito) makes an offer to assist Socrates from what he refers to “Certain death”. Despite this, Socrates lacks concerns of what individuals think. Instead, he views that the state is making unjust laws. However, he argues that he has an obligation to obey the laws. He also argues that it is not good to use his injustice so that he can meet the “injustice” that is facing him.
Crito has a belief that when he does so, he will be upholding a very higher law than the fabricated law (Adkins, Arthur W. H, Robert B. Louden, and Paul Schollmeier 130). He also has a belief that he possesses an immortal soul, and he will be judged by a standard that is higher than that of the state when he faces death. He is, therefore, concerned that death faces him while he has not done any unholy or unrighteous thing because it is only through that, that his soul may be elevated.
On the other hand, Luther King also has a belief that the higher law is in shaping his actions. He criticizes the church and the police actions for they have failed in ensuring that injustice has been eliminated in the society. In his letter, he also tried to shame the law enforcement and the clergy.
The law enforcement and the clergy have failed to accept their obligation to uphold democracy and the moral law as it has been defined in the Declaration of Independence. At the end of his letter, King asks for forgiveness if he may have uttered anything that indicates that he has unreasonable impatience. This statement clearly shows that it is the duty of the citizens to ensure that there is justice in the society. If those in power fail to practice justice, the citizens have an obligation to stand to speak the truth.
When it comes to Euthyphro, the duties of the citizens have also been mentioned. According to Stone “Euthyphro had the obligation of a citizen to bring the action even against his father” (Stone). This obligation existed because there lacked a public prosecutor in Athens. The citizens were given a duty and a right to ensure that actions were taken when they thought that any of the laws was broken. Euthyphro prosecuted his father over claims that he had murdered a servant (Stone).
In Lao Tzu “living as Water,” he has used an example of water to outline the obligations of the citizens (Chan). It is indicated that the water always moves downwards as it aspires to be the lowest of all. As we apply it to the obligations of the citizens, it is an indication that all the citizens should always be calm so that to ensure that there is peace and harmony in the country.
Water always gives life to millions of people and it does not strive. Thus, all the citizens should ensure that they always do right deeds. If all the citizens would seek to do the right actions every time, then the country will always be at a peaceful state. The water uses less force as it moves to its direction and thus not striking the obstacles and things that it finds on its way. It can be linked to the obligations of the citizens in the sense that all the citizens should learn to coexist with everyone in the community to create a conducive environment for every citizen in the society.
In comparison to Lao Tzu text “Living as Water,” the citizens should live like the water, which always move with a slow force so that it would not harm the things that it finds on its way. It is also the responsibility of the citizens to ensure that they coexist with all the people of the society regardless of their differences. Lao Tzu states that it is the responsibility of all the citizens to ensure that they are kind and gentle as they dwell with other people in the community.
According to the King and La Tzu, we can see their views about the obligations of all the citizens. According to the king, it is evident that all the citizens should ensure that they practice justice to everyone around them regardless of the indifferences that may be among them. Lao Tzu in his text also indicates that all the citizens should practice calmness and gentleness to ensure peace and stability at all times.
In Crito, it is evident that the citizens have a duty to obey the laws and regulations of the country. In comparison with the Lao Tzu text, all the citizens should ensure that they stay in peace with everyone around, and this will mainly be enhanced by the observation of the laws of the country
In conclusion, every citizen in the country has an obligation to ensure that the law is obeyed. Euthyphro is an example of the individuals who prosecuted his father after he was accused of murder. King and Lao Tzu are the other people who have indicated in their texts that it is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that peace and justice in the country prevails. Everybody should be treated in the right and just way regardless of any diversity.
Several analogies have been used in this article to bring out the role of the citizens in their particular country. Water for example has certain attributes that citizens can borrow from to ensure that they cooperate with each other in an effort to maintain peace and unity. They should not disrupt one another in their co-existence while at the same ensuring that they are a source of strength to each other, just as water is a source of life to the human beings. It is also important for the citizens to realize that they are the custodians of the justice system. This means that they do not have to wait for the governing body to take up the role.
Work Cited
Adkins, Arthur W. H, Robert B. Louden, and Paul Schollmeier. The Greeks and Us:
Essays in Honor of Arthur W.h. Adkins. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. Print.
Chan, Alan. "Laozi." Plato.stanford.edu. N.p., 2001. Web. 13 May 2016
Richmond.edu. "History Engine: Tools For Collaborative Education And Research |
Episodes." Historyengine.richmond.edu. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 May 2016.
Stone, I F. The Trial of Socrates. London, UK: Head of Zeus, 2015. Internet resource.
