So, I purchased a copy of the Trial and Death of Socrates (one of my three fav books of all time...if you haven't read it, go buy it once you're done here…seriously, its only like 5 dollars) for a friend (is this the appropriate term?) and I decided that I would go through and underline some of my favorite parts for him.  It has been about 2 months since I've read TDS and I forgot how freaking amazing this book is, and it sort of got me thinking. 

There are a lot of people in this county that hate the way things are going.  This can be seen on both sides of the political spectrum.  We saw the level and degree of frustration during the past elections, and it got me thinking.  That was the best view of true democratic practices at work.  The execution was undoubtedly a bit shoddy, but that sort of change is what Plato discusses.

He has a whole section of the Dialog where he discusses the moral and ethical implications of being a citizen, and the sort of "contract" represented through citizenship.  According to Socrates, you become a full citizen of a country (or state technically) when you are of an age that you are aware of your decision to live in that country, and you chose that country over any other.  I would say for Americans, this could be at roughly 18.  When you are no longer dependent on your family, and you are able to vote and alter the decisions your country makes for you. 

So, according to Socrates, when you make a decision to live in a country, you are then subject to its decisions for you.  This is especially true because of the unwritten contract.  In exchange for the protection of the government, the aid of the government, the education the government provides for you and your offspring, you should be willing to do as it commands.  You have the option not to live here, not to follow this countries' laws, but if you chose to live here, you shall do as this country commands you.  If it commands that you pay taxes, you shall pay them, if it drafts you to sacrifice your life in battle, you will do that.  If you don't agree to these terms, move to FRANCE (they love people like you…it explains why the French suck so much).   As Socrates says, "For after having brought you into the world, and nurtured and educated you, and given you and every other citizen a share in every good that we had to give, we further proclaim and give the right to every Athenian, that if he does not like us when he has come of age and has seen the ways of the city, and made our acquaintance, he may go where he pleases and take his goods with him; and none of us laws will forbid him or interfere with him, but he who has experience of the manner in which we order justice and administer the state, and still remains, has entered into an implied contract that he will do as we command him…"

The point too is that one's country should be as dear, if not more dear to them as their family.  Would you not die to protect your child or your wife?  Would you not do anything to save your parents or family from harm?  Why would that not apply as well to your country?   "You failed to discover that our country is more to be valued and higher and holier by far than mother or father or any ancestor and more to be regarded in the eyes of the gods and of men of understanding… and when we are punished by her, whether with imprisonment or stripes, the punishment is to be endured in silence and if she leads us to wounds or death in battle, thither we follow as is right, neither may any one yield or retreat or leave his rank, but whether in battle or in a court of law, or in any other place, he must do what his city and his country order him; or he must change their view of what is just."

The last part of Socrates' argument is the most significant for me.  Socrates as you might not know is at the time of this conversation in prison for crimes against his country (corrupting the youth among other things).  His friends are begging him to escape the country and go to another place, yet Socrates refuses.  He tries to explain to his friend Crito why he chooses to stay and endure the punishment of the state.  He states first that he is a citizen of the state and subject to its laws and decisions.  He was given the opportunity, in his defense to prove to them that they were wrong in their logic and concept of justice, and he failed to do so adequately, and they sentenced him to death.  He feels he cannot leave the country for that would not only be disobeying and breaking the contract which he made with his country, but it would also be causing harm to his country.  This argument may be a bit difficult to follow, but the line of reasoning is that if he has to escape Athens and go to Rome or some other island nation, that he will cause anti-Athenian feelings on behalf of other nations who would agree with Socrates' position in his trial.  This propaganda war Socrates would cause between his country and others is a form of harm being inflicted on his country, and that is worse to him than enduring what he feels is a wrongful punishment.  "But If you go forth, returning evil for evil, and injury for injury, breaking the covenants and agreements which you have made with us, and wronging those whom you ought least to wrong, that is to say, yourself, your friends, your country, and us, we shall be angry with you while you live."

Now you might at this point think all this is very interesting, but you're wondering what the heck this has to do with modern day America.  I think it has to do with all the Americans out there who feel a need to constantly bash America.  Those who flee drafts and those who go on CNN and criticize this country all the time, they are the ones committing the crimes.  People take for granted what this country is providing them, and what they owe this country in return for that.  As Socrates said, if you don't like what the country is asking of you, change your countries mind.  If you don't agree with the draft, abstain, but realize that by doing so, you will be forced to deal with the punishment your country gives you: jail.  If you don't like the way the republican congress is functioning, that is fine, but don't go and complain about it all the time to other countries like France, which only forces them to hate us.  You should go out and vote, and change the way the government works.  So next time you want to bash America, think of everything it does for you.  Think about how it protects you from terrorists, and how it is paying for your parents when they get old.  Then reconsider whether or not your frustration and outbreak is really what the country deserves for everything it has done for you recently.

Just a thought or two at two Am....