Reflections on Plato’s Phaedo: Life, Death and the Afterlife

Author: Rev. Renaldo McKenzie

This essay is a revised version of an originally Submitted paper to Prof. Ori Soltes at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies on Date: October 25, 2021 as part of a final essay presentation in the Doctor of Liberal Studies Foundations Program. 

Abstract

This essay is a reflection on Plato’s Phaedo, particularly regarding life, death, and the afterlife. In the Phaedo, one see’s Socrates in Plato’s eyes, Plato being a student of Socrates who seems infatuated with Socrates. The reflections here raise questions about why people wouldn’t choose to end their lives if death brings glory, godliness, and beauty, and suggests that the gods created a system to prevent this through philosophical preparation. The passage also mentions a connection between Christian theology, particularly Calvinist and Armenians views of salvation, and the Socratic-Platonic philosophical foundation.

Introduction

Plato in The Phaedo, highlights the theme of privilege, position, and status in the study of Socrates and Plato, suggesting that Plato couldn’t escape the human condition described by Kant and the intellectualism criticized by Gramsci. Plato approached truth with reason and logic, challenging the myths and chauvinism present in Greek literature. The reading of Phaedo suggests that unadulterated knowledge is attained by philosophers who reject worldly pleasures and dedicate themselves to learning. It implies that previous Greek poets’ accounts were influenced by the material world and lacked true philosophy. Socrates is portrayed as an iconoclast, promoting the philosopher as a hero instead of the traditional Greek hero like Achilles. The influence of other iconoclasts, such as Euripides, who portrayed gods as mortal, may have found its way into Socrates’ and Plato’s philosophy. The passage also discusses the concept of a dualistic reality, departing from previous Greek literature and embracing a new way of writing based on credible witnesses and evidence. It suggests that Socrates and Plato improve upon Greek stories through reason and philosophical dialogue, recovering what was lost.

Response to Questions Raised in the Phaedo:

Discussion: The presentation addresses the following key questions:

1. Why does Socrates consider death a reward for the philosopher, and why does he argue against suicide?

Socrates believes that death is a reward for the philosopher because it allows the soul to attain true knowledge and live in a divine and blissful realm. The philosopher understands that the soul is immortal and that death liberates it from the limitations of the body. However, Socrates views suicide as illegitimate because it disrupts the natural order of life and goes against the moral obligations we have to society and the gods. The philosopher must patiently prepare for death by practicing philosophy, which involves recollecting the knowledge that the soul possessed before birth and pursuing wisdom in this life. Thus, suicide is not considered a legitimate option for the philosopher, who must wait for death as the ultimate culmination of their preparation for the immortality of the soul.

2. How does the practice of philosophy prepare one for death according to Socrates? What does this reveal about Plato’s epistemology?

According to Socrates, the practice of philosophy prepares one for death by allowing the soul to detach from the distractions and pleasures of the body. By engaging in intellectual pursuits and minimizing bodily influences, the philosopher can attain true knowledge and understanding. Socrates argues that true knowledge is not possible in the presence of the body, as it hinders the soul from reaching the realm of pure and uncontaminated truth. Therefore, Socrates suggests that genuine wisdom can only be attained after death when the soul is separated from the body.

From Socrates’ argument that philosophy is a preparation for death, we learn about Plato’s epistemology, which asserts that knowledge is innate but becomes obscured or lost at birth due to the corrupting influence of the body. Plato’s philosophy emphasizes the recollection of this innate knowledge through intense philosophical inquiry and logical reasoning. The process of preparing for death and freeing the soul aligns with Plato’s epistemological view that true knowledge is recovered through the purification and liberation of the mind.

In Socrates’ worldview, true knowledge is ultimately possible but can only be fully attained after death when the soul is liberated from the body. In this life, philosophers engage in the pursuit of wisdom and recollection of innate knowledge as a means of preparing themselves for the ultimate realization of truth in the afterlife.

3. What do Socrates’ arguments about death and the immortality of the soul reveal about Plato’s Theory of Forms?

Socrates’ arguments about death as a reward for the philosopher and the immortality of the soul shed light on Plato’s metaphysics, particularly his Theory of Forms. Plato, influenced by Socrates, presents a dualistic view of reality, where there are two realms: the immaterial realm of the mind/soul and the material realm of the body. Socrates suggests that true knowledge and understanding exist in the realm of the mind, free from the limitations and distractions of the body.

Plato’s Theory of Forms posits that there is a higher reality beyond the physical world, characterized by unchanging and eternal Forms. These Forms represent the true nature or essence of things. Socrates’ arguments support this notion, as he emphasizes the importance of reason and the soul in grasping the essence of reality. According to Socrates, our ability to reason allows us to impose our minds on objects and recollect their true forms within the realm of the mind.

In Plato’s metaphysics, the world of Forms is divided into mathematical forms and ethical forms, representing abstract concepts and moral ideals, respectively. On the other hand, the physical world is composed of ordinary objects and their images, such as shadows and reflections. Plato’s metaphysical framework is closely intertwined with his epistemology, as it addresses how we come to know things and emphasizes the distinction between the knower and the known.

Overall, Socrates’ arguments regarding the rewards of death for philosophers and the immortality of the soul contribute to Plato’s metaphysical framework, highlighting the existence of a higher reality of unchanging Forms and the role of reason in perceiving the true nature of things.

4. What does Socrates mean by saying that learning is recollection, and how does this theory relate to Plato’s metaphysics and epistemology?

Socrates argues that learning is actually a process of recollection. According to him, knowledge is not something completely new that we acquire, but rather the act of remembering what we already knew before birth. Socrates suggests that we possess innate knowledge that is lost at the moment of birth. Through the use of our senses and the experience of the physical world, we are able to recollect or recover this pre-existing knowledge.

Socrates illustrates this theory of recollection by explaining that when we perceive an object through our senses, it can trigger associations in our minds, leading us to remember other related objects or ideas. He suggests that these associations and connections are evidence of our ability to recollect what we knew before.

This theory of recollection also reveals Plato’s metaphysics and epistemology. In Plato’s metaphysics, there is a distinction between the material world, which is ever-changing, and the world of Forms, which is unchanging and eternal. The theory of recollection aligns with Plato’s notion of the world of Forms, as it suggests that our knowledge and understanding come from a realm beyond the physical, where timeless and universal truths exist.

In terms of epistemology, the theory of recollection emphasizes the importance of reason and the mind in acquiring knowledge. It suggests that true knowledge is not solely based on sensory experience but requires the recollection of innate knowledge. Plato’s epistemology, influenced by Socrates’ ideas, posits that knowledge is not merely derived from the physical world but is rooted in the realm of Forms and the recollection of eternal truths.

In summary, Socrates’ notion that learning is recollection implies that knowledge is innate and recovered through the process of remembering what was already known before birth. This theory aligns with Plato’s metaphysical framework of the world of Forms and sheds light on his epistemological perspective regarding the nature of knowledge and understanding.

• What are the differences between the soul and the body according to Socrates? How does he describe the relationship between the soul and the body?

According to Socrates, there are distinct differences between the soul and the body. In Plato’s description of Socrates’ philosophy, the soul is considered closer to the divine, immortal, intelligible, uniform, indissoluble, and self-consistent. On the other hand, the body is associated with the mortal, multiform, unintelligible, dissoluble, and inconsistent aspects of existence.

Socrates describes the relationship between the soul and the body as one where nature teaches the body to serve and be subject to the soul, just as the mortal is subject to the divine. The soul, being more divine-like, possesses the capacity to rule and govern, while the body serves and follows.

In contemplating the fate of the soul after death, Socrates suggests that the soul, as the invisible and divine part, departs to a glorious and pure realm, the true Hades or unseen world. He questions whether the soul, being of such nature, would be dispersed and destroyed upon its release from the body, implying the soul’s immortality.

In summary, Socrates distinguishes between the soul and the body, attributing divine qualities to the soul and mortal characteristics to the body. He emphasizes the soul’s capacity for ruling and its connection to the divine, while the body is seen as subservient to the soul. Socrates also contemplates the soul’s immortality and its departure to a higher realm after death.

• What is the meaning of Socrates’ last words? How might these last words sum up the whole of Plato’s Philosophy!

“Crito, we ought to offer a cock to Asclepius. See to it, and don’t forget” (Ibid P.20).

Socrates’ last words to Crito, “Crito, we ought to offer a cock to Asclepius. See to it, and don’t forget,” hold symbolic and philosophical significance. The meaning behind these words is open to interpretation. Socrates mentions Asclepius, the God of healing, at a critical moment in the dialogue on the exceptionalism of the soul and the attainment of immortality through philosophy.

The purpose behind Socrates’ mention of offering a sacrifice to Asclepius remains unclear. It raises questions about whether Socrates believed in miracles, desired healing or resurrection, or was influenced by religious thoughts in his final moments. This statement seems unusual as Socrates had not previously mentioned gods or miracles in his dialogue. It could be attributed to the effects of the poison or a delusional state.

In a broader context, Socrates’ last words may reflect a connection to the mythological figure Dionysus, who achieved divinity after death. The killing of a bull as a sacrifice to Dionysus symbolizes this transformation, and Socrates may have drawn inspiration from this symbolism, suggesting that philosophers attain godliness at death through a life of philosophy.

Plato’s depiction of Socrates’ death in the Phaedo evokes both pain and pleasure. It is painful to witness the departure of the master, similar to Jesus leaving his disciples. However, there is pleasure in the realization that the masters, including Socrates, have achieved a divine-like state. Plato’s narrative of Socrates’ death serves to justify this paradoxical interplay between pleasure and pain.

Overall, Socrates’ last words and Plato’s portrayal of his death in the Phaedo reveal the underlying philosophy of attaining godliness through philosophy and the acceptance of life, death, and the afterlife. The symbolic sacrifice of the cock represents Socratic achievement and the pleasure derived from this philosophical understanding.

Conclusion

After reading Plato’s Phaedo and contemplating Socrates’ philosophy of life and death, certain assumptions arise. Firstly, if people were aware of the glory, godlikeness, and beauty that awaits them after death, one might question why they wouldn’t choose to end their lives and seek that state immediately. Life on Earth would pale in comparison to the riches of the afterlife, prompting individuals to prioritize death over living. However, the gods, in their wisdom, established a system or process, referred to by Socrates as philosophical preparation or Plato’s concept of coming to know, to sustain human life.

Secondly, it is observed that Christian theology, particularly the notion of eternal life and salvation, shares a philosophical foundation rooted in Socratic and Platonic ideas. In Protestantism, the Calvinist theology of salvation emphasizes the tension between the already attained salvation and the anticipation of its full realization in the future. Similarly, Arminianism emphasizes the believer’s active participation and effort in working towards their salvation.

In essence, these reflections highlight the parallels between Socratic-Platonic philosophy and Christian theology, suggesting that Socrates’ ideas on life, death, and the pursuit of knowledge have had a lasting influence on religious and philosophical thought.

This Essay is an abbreviated version of a longer essay by Renaldo McKenzie.

About The author of this essay, Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, submitted it as part of his Doctoral studies at Georgetown University. Rev. McKenzie is an Adjunct Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary and the author of the book “Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance.” He is also the creator and host of The NeoLiberal Round Podcast. Currently, Rev. McKenzie is working on an upcoming book titled “Neoliberal Globalization Reconsidered, Neo-Capitalism and The Death of Nations,” which is being reviewed by Haymarket Books. Additionally, the author’s work can be found in The NeoLiberal Journals at https://theneoliberal.com and The NeoLiberal Post at https://renaldocmckenzie.com.

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