The Reason Socrates's Refuse to Escape from Prison

In Socrates' defense, he chooses to stay in prison. He does not think it is correct to get out from jail because of the unjust law existed in his time period. In his opinion he believes that staying in prison could preserve his pure soul by following the law and regulations rather than doing the wrong thing which is escaping from prison. As a citizen in Athens, everyone should obey to law, in order to build the ideal environment. In this paper, I will state reasons that Socrates decided to stay in prison.

First, an unjust action ruins one's soul. Socrates is born in Athens, and he should and ought to follow the laws in Athens. If he disagrees with the law, he has right to leave the county rather than despising the law. If a person breaks the law, the one is diminishing moral regulation and is causing harm to someone else. If a person escapes from a prison, the one is ignoring the country's right and power. The country will not have justice power, and leads to failure, when everyone does not follow the law. In Athens' law, parents are responsible for raising their children, and provide them a proper education. In the meantime, children should also return their parents. We think motherland is above our parents, if we violate and break the law of our motherland, we are sinners. In the opposite, if Socrates escapes from prison, it means that he thinks it is right to break the law. Therefore, Socrates chooses to stay in prison because he does not want to violate his own principle, and he does not want to live with a ruined soul.

Second, life is not worth living with a ruined soul. In Socrates agreement, he wants to live with his principle, and he wants to let the public realize his principle. No matter live or death, we should be meaningful to the public. If Socrates decided to escape from prison, public will not realize this unjust trail. More important, people will forget the justice of Socrates and the meaning of this unjust