Suicide In Socrates Phaedo

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In the Phaedo, Socrates enlightens Cebes on death, and how death should not be looked at as the end of all means, and instead, should be welcomed by a philosopher. Socrates justifies his position, stating that through death, a philosopher will be able to pursue true wisdom in that the soul is “purged” from the body. Socrates expresses, only those who do not fear death truly posses knowledge and self control. Socrates and Cebes discuss the idea of suicide and Socrates explains to Cebes how suicide should not be an option, even though Socrates feels like death is a release. Socrates explains that the body is a possession of the Gods and the human is not the sole owner of his or her body. Thus, the human have no right to harm ourselves…show more content…
Death, in Socrates’ mind is a separation of the soul from the body. The body is a distraction in that it has needs and desires which must be attained to when alive, such as food, water, and shelter. He believes that the body is incapable of discovering the truth and that action is the purpose of the soul itself. A body and its immortal soul are separate, and only when the soul is separated from the body from death is it able to reason by itself. A philosopher’s ideal state is when his/her soul is relieved of its bodily duties and can gain true knowledge. Beauty, goodness, and justice can only be seen in the eyes of the soul by itself as the body’s senses deceive the soul. Instead of justice and truth, Socrates believes senses to be concerned with material things such as power and wealth which distract the soul from pursuing truth. Senses also misguide a philosopher in that his senses may be influenced by his surroundings and the true meaning of justice, beauty, or goodness can only be discovered by a soul itself. It is only in death where we can have an unaided visual of such things. Socrates sees the body as a contamination of the soul and sees death as a way of purifying the soul. Only when the soul rests by itself, can the philosopher’s lifelong pursuit be

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