Phaedo: Plato's Dialogue on the Immortality of the Soul

Phaedo: The Immortality of the Soul

The Meeting of Phaedo and Echecrates

Plato's Phaedo, a seminal work from his mature period, delves into his most important theories and influences. This dialogue can be divided into six thematic parts. It begins with the meeting of Echecrates and Phaedo. Phaedo, who was present during Socrates' last days and death, recounts these events and describes Socrates' demeanor.

Those Present at Socrates' Last Day

Among those present were Apollodorus, Hermogenes, Epigenes, Aeschines, Antisthenes, Ctesippus of Paeania, Menexenus, Critobulus, his father, and others. As was customary, they arrived very early to await Socrates' release from his cell, hoping to engage in dialogue with him. However, they unexpectedly learned that the ship from Delos had arrived, signifying that his death sentence would soon be carried out.

Socrates' Dream and the Question of Suicide

The conversation then turns to a dream Socrates had, in which Apollo entrusted him to write poetry. This leads to a discussion on whether suicide would be a good option or if one should await their fate. Cebes and Simmias do not understand Socrates, who holds Orphic ideas, objecting to the theory of metempsychosis. This theory posits that the body is the prison of the soul, and one cannot extricate oneself or escape from it. Socrates then subtly introduces his thoughts on the immortality of the soul, mentioning another world after death where the best philosophers reside.

The Soul's Detachment from the Senses

The dialogue between Socrates, Simmias, and Cebes intensifies. Socrates argues that to attain true knowledge, the soul must detach itself from the senses, such as sight and hearing, which only serve to interrupt. The body, therefore, becomes an impediment to the soul's pursuit of knowledge. He concludes that the soul must detach completely after death to journey to another world, where it can attain supreme knowledge.

Socrates' Tranquility in the Face of Death

Socrates justifies his tranquility and joy at the arrival of his imminent death. He believes that only then can he attain true wisdom, unlike those who are attached to the body and are irritated by the prospect of death.