Socrates on Life, Death and the Afterlife - 1419 Words

BD Socrates’ views of death as represented in â€Å"The Trial and Death of Socrates† are irrevocably tied to his beliefs of what makes life significant. For Socrates, life must be examined through constant questioning and one must hold the goodness of life above all else. Consequently, even in the face of the un-good, or unjust in Socrates’ case as represented in his trial, it would not be correct to do wrong, return wrong or do harm in return for harm done. Therefore, no act should be performed with an account for the risk of life or death; it should be performed solely on the basis of whether it is good and right. Throughout the Apology, Crito and Phaedo, Socrates expresses his conceptions of death and the afterlife, which are reflected†¦show more content†¦One’s main concern in life was doing what is just and pious. He explains that if a man is good he cannot be harmed in either life or death. Socrates conducted his defense in a way that upheld his beliefs on the significance of life. He explains that if he â€Å"would much rather die after this kind of defense than live after making the other kind.† 38e. The other kind of defense being one in which he did not obey the gods. Such as if they acquitted him on the terms in which he did not practice philosophy, he stated he would â€Å"obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy.† 29d. Socrates, even in the face of his own mortality, is consistent in his moral beliefs. Socrates believed that death was a good thing and did not just happen of itself in his case. â€Å"it is clear to me that it was better for me to die now and to escape from trouble. That is why my divine sign did not oppose me at any point [throughout my defense]. 41d. In the Phaedo, moments before his death he explains to Crito that he doesn’t see the point in prolonging his death by waiting to drink the poison. He believed that it would be â€Å"ridiculous in my own eyes for clinging to life, and be sparing of it when there is none left.† 117a. Socrates completely accepted his death. He believed death is a cure for the ills of life as stated in his last words. â€Å"Crito, we owe a cock to Ascelepius; make this offering to himShow MoreRelatedEssay about Socrates vs Gilgamesh1173 Words   |  5 Pages2011 Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Socrates’ view of death in the Phaedo, Crito, an d Apology is complex. His argument tries to prove that philosophers, of all people, are in the best state to die or will be in the best state after life because of the life they lead. Socrates’ views are sharply contrasted in The Epic of Gilgamesh. 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EventuallyRead MoreSocrates : The Fear Of Death1717 Words   |  7 PagesPhil 10200 Cai 06/16/2017 Socrates on The Fear of Death In Plato’s â€Å"Apology†, Plato captures the arguments that Socrates makes about death. Socrates attitude towards the fear of death was a thought or imagination based on the limitation of our knowledge for we do not know about the truth of something without experiencing, and not on its facts. Socrates believes people should not fear death, and he calls the fear of death to be false wisdom. This statement Socrates proves it based on the followingRead MoreLenses of Education 1051 Words   |  4 PagesEducation is a main factor that Socrates discusses throughout his trial in the â€Å"Apology† and in â€Å"Meno.† One of the main factors discussed in both texts are the role of teachers in society and if Socrates is a teacher. Socrates also relates past stories or experiences when giving his dialogues. 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