Socrates’ arguments for the pre-existence and immortality of the soul include enough evidence and explanation that validates his reasoning. The arguments instituted by Socrates on death and the continuation of the soul give validation to the belief that death is not the end and we ought not fear it. In Plato’s Apology, Crito, and Phaedo there is constant discussion over the afterlife and how to handle impending death. Socrates was sentenced to die by the public court for corrupting the youth, creating and believing in false idols, and angering most of the people in his province for going against authority and typical beliefs. All of these accusations and feelings combined led to the conclusion that Socrates must perish. The typical reaction
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While talking with some friends before his death, Socrates initiated three arguments that support his belief in the soul continuing on posthumously. The first argument is known as the argument of opposites. The logic behind this argument is that everything must come from its opposite. An example of this is given by Socrates in Phaedo when he states, “Let us consider whether it is a necessary law that everything which has an opposite is brought about from that opposite and no other source: for example, when a thing becomes bigger, it must, I suppose, have been smaller first before it became bigger?” (Phaedo 70). In association with the soul, this argument then entails that death comes from life, and life comes from death. With this, a cycle is manifested where the living are from the dead, meaning souls continue on into the afterlife and reappear in the world after time passes. The second argument is called the theory of recollection. This theory developed by Socrates expands upon the idea that the soul existed before birth. Socrates in Phaedo explains, “And unless we variably forget it after obtaining it, we must always be born knowing and continue to know through our lives; because ‘to know’ means simply to retain the knowledge which one has acquired, and not to lose it” (Phaedo 75). In simpler terms, the notion that we are born into this world knowing nothing is deceitful. We are born into this world with knowledge that we forget upon being conceived. Throughout the life we live, we refurbish what we have forgotten and recollect our thoughts. This theory gives substantiation to Socrates’ overall point that the soul exists prior to birth. The final argument is the argument of affinity. In this, Socrates splits everything into two groups. One is filled with those that are immaterial, invisible, and immortal. The other group involves those that are material, visible, and perishable. In Phaedo,
While talking with some friends before his death, Socrates initiated three arguments that support his belief in the soul continuing on posthumously. The first argument is known as the argument of opposites. The logic behind this argument is that everything must come from its opposite. An example of this is given by Socrates in Phaedo when he states, “Let us consider whether it is a necessary law that everything which has an opposite is brought about from that opposite and no other source: for example, when a thing becomes bigger, it must, I suppose, have been smaller first before it became bigger?” (Phaedo 70). In association with the soul, this argument then entails that death comes from life, and life comes from death. With this, a cycle is manifested where the living are from the dead, meaning souls continue on into the afterlife and reappear in the world after time passes. The second argument is called the theory of recollection. This theory developed by Socrates expands upon the idea that the soul existed before birth. Socrates in Phaedo explains, “And unless we variably forget it after obtaining it, we must always be born knowing and continue to know through our lives; because ‘to know’ means simply to retain the knowledge which one has acquired, and not to lose it” (Phaedo 75). In simpler terms, the notion that we are born into this world knowing nothing is deceitful. We are born into this world with knowledge that we forget upon being conceived. Throughout the life we live, we refurbish what we have forgotten and recollect our thoughts. This theory gives substantiation to Socrates’ overall point that the soul exists prior to birth. The final argument is the argument of affinity. In this, Socrates splits everything into two groups. One is filled with those that are immaterial, invisible, and immortal. The other group involves those that are material, visible, and perishable. In Phaedo,