Final answer:
Socrates refused to escape from prison because he had sworn an oath to the laws and gods, believed that two wrongs don't make a right, and wanted to prove his innocence through his virtuous conduct. His decision influenced the course of Western philosophy and history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Socrates chose not to escape from prison for several profound reasons. Primarily, he believed that two wrongs don't make a right, as stated in Plato's Crito. He had sworn an oath to the gods and to accept the verdict and penalty of the court, emphasizing the importance of following the law and keeping one's promises. Fleeing would not only show disrespect for the law and the gods but would also confirm to others that he was guilty. Socrates held the view that he should not commit wrongdoing as a response to having been wronged. He also did not want to set a bad example for the youth and believed that by staying and accepting his punishment, he proved his innocence and virtuous character.
Socrates's unyielding adherence to his principles had a lasting impact on philosophy, and his student Plato. Had he chosen to flee, history and the development of Western ideas might have been dramatically different. Socrates's refusal to abandon his philosophy, even in the face of death, underlines his commitment to the pursuit of wisdom and virtue, rendering his final act a defining moment in shaping philosophical thought.