Crito

Throughout "Crito," Socrates continually must justify himself and his reasons for not attempting to escape the prison he is being held captive in. Despite his friend Crito's constant insistence that he flee from captivity and find refuge in a neighboring country. However, Socrates always has an answer to Crito's arguments and counters each one. Specifically, Socrates explains to Crito that he cannot disobey the Laws that landed him in this situation, because in doing so, he would in fact go against everything he stood for and everything he defended in his defense during his trial.

The Laws act as a major theme in the Crito. It is based upon these Laws that socrates bases his reasons on why he cannot escape imprisonment. On page 93, near d, Socrates sums up why he cannot disregard the Laws by stating he has undertaken the deed of playing the role of citizen and would be compared to the "lowest slave" if he in fact decided to flee. The text also states that Socrates would achieve nothing by escaping because the stigma of a law breaker will attach to him where he goes (94). This, to Socrates is what finally determines his decision to stay. Socrates is very self-righteous and has much dignity and doesn't want to risk his reputation and be looked upon as one who breaks the law. Especially after everything he explained in the previous texts of "Euthyphro" and the "Apology" concerning the fact that he was brought into court on false premises.

After all, like Amer put it, two wrongs in fact do not make a right and Socrates would be doing an unjust deed by escaping, despite being thrown into prison on unjust terms. I can understand Socrates position. He is very proud and obviously to him, his pride was worth more than his life. He also does this for the sake of his friends and family, which is also another respectable reason. Finally, Socrates really comes right out and says why he doesn't want to escape; that is because he doesn't want to confirm the verdict of the jurors. He goes on to ask would life really be worth living, knowing everywhere he'd go he would be considered a breaker of the laws (94, b-c).

Although it is kind of hard to understand why he would choose death, when the option of escape is there, but he makes it hard to disagree with his reasons. After all he supports all of his conclusions with logical and coherent reasons. Socrates is an overall stand up guy and he keeps it real. Hard to disagree at all with perhaps one of the most wisest figures in all of history.