Justice

One major theme of these dialogs is an exploration of "What is the meaning of justice?"

The reason why this matters so much is because it has a direct effect upon Socrates' behavior. He insists to Crito in the third dialog that his beliefs pertaining to what "just" means is the very reason why he has accepted the sentence.

This very question, "What is just?" is just the kind of thing that got him into trouble in Athens in the first place. This question is explored here and there in various dialogs but is crucial when Crito implores Socrates to permit him to assist in his friend's escape from prison.

It makes sense for readers who hold life as the highest value that Crito would urge this. However, for Socrates, although human life does have a high value, there are other values which are of such priority that...