Why Didn’t Socrates Take the Chance to Escape?

In Plato’s the Apology, Socrates is defiant as anyone would be, who was convinced of their innocence. In his own eyes, he has done nothing wrong. If, according to the laws of Athens, he has committed any crime, then the laws are wrong — or at least badly formulated. In fact, the charges raised against him by his accusers are lies. In pursuing his vocation as a philosopher, he has created enemies, who have sought to destroy him by bringing the false charge of atheism. Finally, after the guilty verdict has been pronounced, Socrates turns on his accusers, asserting that they, and the Athenian Court, in convicting him, have committed a great wrong.

In the Crito, Socrates, in prison awaiting his execution, is offered the chance to escape, but turns it down, arguing that such an action would “harm the Laws of Athens.” Why should he care? The verdict of the court was unjust, he does not deserve to die. His answer is very simple. The fact that a wrong has been done to him does not make the action of escaping justice right. This is readily understandable, in the light of the principle which Socrates lived by: “It is worse to do wrong than to suffer it."

I look forward to your comments