Essay Sample on Phaedo

Introduction

Phaedo is one of the known dialogue written by the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato. It gives accounts of the events and conversations that occurred on the day that Socrates was sentenced by the state of Athens through poisoning. This dialogue occurred in his prison cell. Socrates believed that a true philosopher should welcome death, but they should not harm themselves or commit suicide. He further states that human existence is essential, and death should be a blessing, and no one should take their own lives. Socrates refers to life as being sacred and belongs to gods hence we must wait for the gods to take it away from us. Similarly, he states that life is meant for god's service. However, he does not explain how one can understand these gods or how one is of service. This paper, therefore, will expound on the Socrates remarks, trying to derive their meaning.

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Socrates is one of the greatest philosophers with so much wisdom. He employed different styles to convey his message until his final breath. He took no pleasure in the flesh he regarded his inner spirit and could not appreciate the gods of the state. This led to his sentence, but he still could not give up on what he believed in. He held on to his beliefs of an afterlife with gods' protection, with no sorrows or pain.

Phaedo is one of the greatest philosophical masterpieces Plato ever wrote, and it is the final dialogue during the Socrates last hours after Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Meno. The scene begins with Echecrates meeting Phaedo to ask him about Socrates last days. This dialogue is between Cebes and Socrates who was present in prison all through to his sentence together with Theban and Simmias. Cebes is surprised by Socrates when he tells him to bid Euenus goodbye for him and to ask him to follow him as soon as possible. He further argues that a philosopher should not fear death. "to tell him, if he was smart, to follow Socrates as quickly as possible" (6 1 B8). Socrates further clears that Euenus is a philosopher and he ought to know that but do it the right way. "He and everyone who pursues this course will be willing to do so. But he will not harm himself for it is not right" (C 8-10). Socrates explains death as a separation of body and soul. His affirmation about the beauty of death is that there is an afterlife and he believes he is going to meet good people in the afterlife because throughout his life he has been good.

Socrates said that the gods are our guardians and therefore we belong wholly to them, and we should not commit suicide whatsoever. We should also welcome death whenever it comes as it is a rite of passage, as well as a purification for our souls rather than fearing it. He states that philosophers should live their lives being ready and preparing for death. They avoid indulging in fun and earthly pleasures so that they don't fear to lose the pleasure once time to die comes hence they won't fear death. This philosophy is critical as it helps one understand the great truths although many religions in the western world have been fighting against this reality.

• The central theme in the Phaedo dialogue is immortality of the soul. Throughout his work, Socrates gives the four arguments in support for the soul's immortality.
• Cyclical argument- this explains that forms are unchanging and constant. He likened this to the fire whose it's opposite is cold hence suggesting that the body dies, the soul, therefore, must not die.
• The theory of recollection- this theory states that we have non-empirical knowledge at birth, showing that the soul existed before birth carrying along that knowledge.
• The affinity argument- it suggests that as our body dies and decays, the soul continues to live. It also states that invisible and immortal are different from visible and mortal so is the body and the soul.
• The final argument- this argument states that the soul can never die. All things take part in a form so does the soul in its nature take part in the body.

He, however, does not treat the four arguments the same way but puts much weight on the final case intending to support the immortality of the soul which Plato believes is certain. The above arguments were used to address the fear Cebes had that when the body dies the soul might also perish.

Socrates' death and his final words, shows a man who is not attached to material things and worldly pleasures, instead a man who welcomes death with a hope of a better afterlife since he was the right person in the life and all philosophers will follow the same since they all believe in the same thing he does. The Athenians jailed Socrates for not believing in the gods of the state as well as corrupting the youths. Socrates talks passionately of how one should value their lives hence should not commit suicide. Socrates chose his faith over his own life. The reason why he didn't fear death, was due to his philosophy about death. He believed the spirit was far much important than the flesh, claiming that the flesh and its worldly pleasure interfered with the inner soul, but death would set it free.

Plato dialogue, portrays Socrates thinking so much of what death was. Is it the soul or the flesh that disappears after one dies? He argues the opposite of death is life, and this means that the flesh and the soul are independent and the soul is invisible and also external. If the soul is invisible how then do we know of its existence? Seeing the dilemma in Socrates argument, Simmias and Philolaos gave an analogy between flesh and soul and chain and chords. How could the chains be broken leaving the chords intact? Similarly, if the soul is chained in the flesh how then does the body die and the soul live. These are some of the discrepancies in the Socrates' argument.

Socrates was excited that he was sentenced since he associated his flesh to being chained to misery after being shackled in his prison cell. He was glad that he was joining a better world free from suffering. He insisted people should not be saddened by their relatives' death instead they should be happy they are now free from pain and misery. His death was instead an extraordinary one, Phaedo felt different as he watched his friend speaking courageously and without the fear of death. He was convinced that gods would take care of him even in the land of the dead. He once stated that before we were born or came to being, we were from dead. This means we will still go back to existence after we die therefore there no need of fearing death.

Although Plato's dialogues have been widely used even in theology, explaining death is much more than a philosophy, and a human mind cannot understand. A human being is made up of the flesh and the heart which is the soul. The soul is associated with emotions or feelings such as pain. It is therefore clear as the flesh dies and fades away the soul will receive the same feelings and likewise fade away. These ancient philosophies hold so much wisdom and truth in them. Socrates felt the same thing he said during his final hour. The beauty of death could be heard in his voice and talking. It is for sure a purification rite, resting from the misery and the pain of this flesh.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Phaedo is one of the best and most important known pieces in Plato's dialogue. It talks on what people from different race, region, and ages always dread to talk about. It talks about death in depth, urging all to live away from the earthly pleasure to be at peace when their time comes. We should also treat our inner spirits with respect. It further urges that we should always seek and be prepared to welcome death in our lives as the next life is far much better than this life in the flesh.

References

Grube, G. M. A., & Cooper, J. M. (1938). Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo. Hackett Publishing.