Why does Socrates reject Crito’s offer of escape? (eBook)

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject Philosophy - Miscellaneous, grade: 1,3, University of Stirling (Philosophy), course: From Plato to Existentialism - Socrates' Apology, language: English, abstract: Throughout his life Socrates was concerned with morality, justness and the soul. The Apology and Crito tell the story of his trial and imprisonment. He presents his opinions in his conversational way and forges his opinion on morality, justness and the soul into one claim. I tend to regard the dramatic events before his death as a test and I claim he passed. He puts his beliefs in action in the very face of death and sticks to them without contradicting his credo and his actions. In the following I am going to explain and asses Socrates' reasons for not escaping prison as his friend Crito recommended. When Crito tried to pursue him to end his imprisonment on his own account he rejected and debilitated his friends' arguments about why he should leave before his execution. I will go into further detail about Socrates' opinion on obedience and justness as they are presented in Crito. Moreover, I will evaluate his arguments with regard to the Apology which seems to contradict his position in Crito at first glance.