Plato's portrayal of Socrates seem to be a contradiction. In 'Apology' he questions people's wisdom while in Crito he seems like a loyal citizen who is going to accept what the state has decreed. If the act of persuading the state is the only alternative to blind obedience, WHY DID HE (both specifically in his defense and generally in his career) MAKE SO LITTLE EFFORT TO PERSUADE THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY WERE ACTING UNJUSTLY?

Question

Plato's portrayal of Socrates seem to be a contradiction. In 'Apology' he questions people's wisdom while in Crito he seems like a loyal citizen who is going to accept what the state has decreed. If the act of persuading the state is the only alternative to blind obedience, WHY DID HE (both specifically in his defense and generally in his career) MAKE SO LITTLE EFFORT TO PERSUADE THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY WERE ACTING UNJUSTLY?

Answer 1

"If the act of persuading the state is the only alternative to blind obedience ... "

Is it the only alternative??

The writer of the question fell into the trap of the fallacy referred to as "false dichotomy." Scroll down on this webpage to read about this particular fallacy:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/fallacies/