ABSTRACT
JohnBeloffrightlycallsthispassagea'superbaffirmationofmoral freedominthefaceofdeath'. 41Butitismeantasastatementdistinguishingsharplybetweenanexplanationintermsofphysicalcauses(aWorld1 causalexplanation)andanexplanationintermsofintentions,aims,ends, motives,reasons,andvaluestoberealized(aWodd2explanationthatalso involvesconsiderationsofWorld3:Socrates'swishnottoviolatethelegal orderofAthens).Anditmakesclearthatbothkindsofexplanationmay betrue,butthatsofarastheexplanationofaresponsibleandpurposeful actionisconcernedthefirstkind(theWorld1causalexplanation)would beabsurdlyirrelevant.
