Phaedo

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Summary of Phaedo
The Phaedo takes place in a town called Phlius, where a man named Echecrates is living. Phaedo, who was one of Socrates’ admirers is there visiting Echecrates. Phaedo was one of Socrates’ followers that were present at his death. Echecrates is familiar with Socrates’ trial but asks Phaedo to recount from memory Socrates’ last day living. There are many people there visiting Socrates in his last moments. These include his friend Crito, and two men named Simmias and Cebes.
The discussion begins with Socrates making the remark that a true philosopher should not fear death but should actually welcome it. Socrates makes a clear distinction the suicide is not acceptable. This does not make sense to Cebes and he questions Socrates on the statement. Socrates then explains that suicide is not acceptable because we are possessions of the Gods, and therefore should not take it upon us to harm ourselves. Socrates also explains that philosophers should welcome death because they know mankind will be greeted by Gods and friends. He states that philosophers spend their lives preparing for death, so they have nothing to fear.
Socrates continues his account by stating that death is simply the separation of the soul from the body. He states that a goal of philosophers is to distance their souls from their bodies and that true wisdom comes from reason, not from the body. Socrates furthers his argument by explaining that in seeking truth, it will be much easier when our soul is separated from our body, or in death. This frees our soul from the distractions of the body. He explains that this is so important because wisdom can be better attained without the body and that wisdom is the only thing of value.
Cebes agrees ...

... middle of paper ...

...auty. So if the soul in involved in the form of living it cannot be involved in the form of dying. Cebes admits that the soul participates in the form of living; therefore the soul can never be dying and is immortal and eternal. At this point Cebes admits that he now completely agrees with all of Socrates’ arguments.
Socrates concludes that because the soul is immortal, how we live our lives will have eternal consequences. He states that those who lived a neutral life will spend a time after death being punished for their wrongdoings and rewarded for their good doings eventually to return to the Earth. Those that lived a horrible life would be sent to ‘Tartarus’ and to never return. Those who lived a good life will go to the true surface of Earth which he describes as being marvelous. After this explanation Socrates says his goodbyes and drinks the poison.

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