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Plato. On the Dialogues of Socrates. Before the Apology. Faces accusers saying, “You will have to make me a martyr – the unexamined life is not worth living.” Crito tries to convince Socrates to escape, but he will not. He believes in supporting the state and if we don’t, anarchy will ensue.
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Plato On the Dialogues of Socrates
Before the Apology • Faces accusers saying, “You will have to make me a martyr – the unexamined life is not worth living.” • Crito tries to convince Socrates to escape, but he will not. He believes in supporting the state and if we don’t, anarchy will ensue.
The Apology • Not an apology • Socrates defines his actions and the accusations against him • He systematically shows how the accusations [and thus the accusers] are without merit • He does not beg, plead, or promise he will stop his questioning • He is condemned to death but does not regret his life or actions
After the Apology pt 1 • He waits one year till the suicide so as not to die during the holy season • During this time, Socrates continues speaking to those who visit him • He first speaks of suicide saying that although philosopher’s search for death ( a freeing of the soul from the body) they should not commit suicide for they should leave this to the gods. • Still, he is not unhappy to die, for he the philosopher will finally find the truth he has been seeking.
After the Apology pt 2 • Addresses the fears that a soul dissipates upon death – oblivion and argues against it. • All things have their opposites. Death the opposite from life - thus the connection. Life begets death therefore death must beget life • The soul must have existed before therefore knowledge is relearning. The soul knew thingsbefore and forgot them upon birth and thus through life relearns. • The problem being the imperfection of the body which makes it difficult for the soul to see things clearly. • They agree to the souls previous existence, but cannot be assured that its existence will continue.
After the Apology pt 3 • The soul is of the unseen and unchanging therefore it may have many bodies and the bodies will fail, but it will continue to exist. • He later makes an incorrect analogy of a weaver making many coats that wear out but the coats may outlast the weaver - thus they say couldn’t a soul also be worn out? • Socrates regroups and reanalyzes his position. The soul is immortal. As ideas are absolute so is the soul - heat may melt snow but cold cannot be converted into heat. • He then discusses the judgment of souls – most can be cleansed through repentance, but some only hell. The dead body is not the person - only the soul is the person. • The poison is brought, he drinks it, walks until numb, lays down and dies.