Phaedo

A detailed Summary of Phaedo


The first item of discussion in Socrates' argument is the separation of the body and the soul. Socrates gains full agreement from Simmias and Cebes when he says that death is simply a separation of the body and the soul. He then makes the argument that this parting is what the philosopher should look forward to and work for.

Socrates also gains his friends' acknowledgement that the philosopher's lifelong goal is to seek wisdom, and that the body impedes that search. Assuming that they are real, the "truths" of the Just, the Beautiful, etc. are seen in this life only partially-- through the tainted filters of the human eyes. Therefore, humans--namely philosophers, are unable to achieve complete knowledge of these truths because the desires and the needs of the body get in the way. On line 67e, Socrates says, "If we are ever to have pure knowledge, we must


So, in the dramatic setting of his final day on earth, Socrates enlightens Simmias and Cebes, illustrating the ways that a philosopher has reason to look forward to death. In doing this, he instills a hope for the perpetuity of the philosophical way of life for all of his successors, and those of us who read their works.

Socrates is careful to note, though, that although the philosopher should embrace death with the anticipation of a goal fulfilled, no man should take his own life in haste to reach that goal faster. He prefaces his whole argument by noting that he and all philosophers and all humans are possessions of the gods. Socrates says to Simmias and Cebes, "...would you not be angry if one of your possessions killed itself when you had not given any sign that you wished it to die, and if you had any punishment you could inflict, you would inflict it?"

Some common words found in the essay are:
Simmias Cebes, , simmias cebes, separation body, separation body soul, soul socrates, body soul, body soul socrates, Socrates Simmias, socrates simmias cebes, socrates gains, socrates simmias, caring soul, philosophical life, knowledge truths,

Approximate Word count = 584
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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