Socrates chooses to die in prison rather than escape, why?

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Humanities

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Socrates chooses to die in prison rather than escape.  What is his reasoning for doing so?  Do you agree with it?  Why or why not?

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Explanation & Answer

he believed he would be better off dead

  1. He believed such a flight would indicate a fear of death, which he believed no true philosopher has.
  2. If he fled Athens his teaching would fare no better in another country, as he would continue questioning all he met and undoubtedly incur their displeasure.
  3. Having knowingly agreed to live under the city's laws, he implicitly subjected himself to the possibility of being accused of crimes by its citizens and judged guilty by its jury. To do otherwise would have caused him to break his social with the state, and so harm the state, an unprincipled act.
  4. If he escaped at the instigation of his friends, then his friends would become liable in law.


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