Crito And the Lessons to be Learned from his Failed Attempt to Save Socrates

The dialogue of the Crito, is between Socrates and his friend Crito, on the eve of the day of Socrates' execution. Crito wishes to aide Socrates in escaping his death sentence and running away form Athens, but Socrates argues and succeeds in informing Crito that obedience to the death sentence is of supreme importance. Through this dialogue, Socrates' expounds on his views concerning justice as well as the symbiotic relationship between the individual and the …

…In the end he understands that virtue and justice are the highest virtues and take precedence as the highest order of things. If he were to escape, or in any other way not accept the punishment assigned, he would be choosing another virtue over those he holds to be supreme. By accepting his death, ultimately he gains ground that nothing should supercede the greatest virtues, including justice not even one's personal beliefs, friends, or family.