Phaedo Summary

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Phaedo Summary

Socrates stands now before his disciples telling them he is not afraid of dying because he says death is what the true philosopher waits for all his life. The philosopher must have lived a good life, and when death is presented upon him, he should take the opportunity. Socrates formed a conclusion that: “That the real philosopher has reason to be of good cheer when he is about to die, and after death he may hope to obtain the greatest good of the world.” Socrates is saying that when death is presented upon him, he should have no reason but to be happy, and when that death comes; he will have achieved the best gift in the world.

Socrates states evidence of why he is not afraid of dying through multiple mini-conclusions. Socrates says to Simmias, “Why when his time comes should he repine at which he has always been pursuing and desiring?” Socrates is saying why should philosophers grieve at death when that should be the goal of their whole lives. He believes only philosophers can understand because he believes philosophers will be truly alive after death, and normal men will just die. Normal men do not know that true philosophers have always been pursuing death and dying, and the desire of death has been with them all their lives.

Through out his whole testimony, Socrates states questions to his disciples already knowing the answers, but he...

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