Socrates or Aristotle? When Justice and Law Collide

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# Socrates or Aristotle? When Justice and Law Collide

## If the law acts unjustly, do you obey it, break it, or walk away?

The terms law and justice often go hand in hand, and sometimes we even use them as if they mean the same thing. But throughout history, they have repeatedly come into conflict.
One of the most important texts of Philosophy is about this conflict "The Apology of Socrates' . When Socrates was convicted for crime against Athens altought he believed the judgment against him was wrong, he refused to flee; chose to remain and accept the sentence.
Years later, this time Aristotle faced danger in Athens after the death of Alexander the Great. Because of his association with Macedon, he feared prosecution and left the city. Ancient tradition attributes to him the remark that he would not allow Athens to “sin twice against philosophy”—a reference to what Athens had done to Socrates.

So we are left with two very different responses.
Socrates stayed. Aristotle left.

When your life is at stake and you are free to choose, what would you do?

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### 1. What is law? What is justice?

What makes something a law? What makes something just?

### 2. Does law create justice, or does justice give law its legitimacy?

### 3. Does an unjust law still count as law?

### 4. Obey, disobey, or leave?

### 5. Why did Socrates stay?

### 6. Can you respect law while believing that law has produced injustice?

### 7. What would have been wrong with Socrates escaping?

### 8. Was Aristotle less principled—or more sensible?

### 9. What does it mean for justice to be “done”?

### 10. When is civil disobedience justified?

### 12. Who decides that a law is unjust?

### And more....