Socrates_View_on_the_Afterlife

Socrates view on the Afterlife: Betty Mingus PHI/105 August 15, 2012 Lou Sirard Socrates view on the Afterlife: The view in which Socrates believes in regards to the afterlife is not much different than those of society today. Socrates believes that the soul leaves the body and goes to a place where no evil exist, but only harmony is found. The belief in which Socrates has in regards to the soul leaving the body and entering into the afterlife is how he was able to have no fear for death. Socrates, upon facing what was his deathbed showed no sorrow or fear whether a self-sense of harmony and utter happiness. For Socrates did not fear death, he welcomed the fact that his soul would then be freed to travel into the next phase of life known as the afterlife. In order for the soul to leave one’s body, Socrates believed and spoke how before death the body is in a mortal form and the soul will forever be immortal and becomes preserved within eternity. However, Socrates also believes that not every soul will travel the same pathways. In the way in which Socrates describes how one’s soul may travel into different pathways is much like the way we as society believes to be Heaven and Hell. Socrates view of how a soul takes a different pathway after death is all in how one lives their life and the action in which they behave. The way Socrates states that, according to The Phaedo, “as the soul plainly appears to be immortal, there is no release or salvation from evil,” (p. 437), clearly shows how when on chooses to live by evil, than one’s soul will not have room to bargain. However, one who lives a pure life will have no need to bargain. The theory in which Socrates believes how one’s soul is immortal and lives forever is in the same believes I have. Even though his way of stated things are not as they are now, the meaning behind his words have true meaning to the terms Heaven and Hell. I do believe as Socrates that one’s soul leaves the body after death and travels into the pathway in which they chose to live. However, the one aspect in which I do not agree with is his theory in which a soul can bargain after death. I believe in order for a soul to have redemption one must make things right with God in order to save their soul. Which brings me to if I was able to ask a question to Socrates' The one question I would ask him would be, does he not think that everyone who has lived within evil can have their soul saved before one’s death' With that being said, if a person who has done evil, has then realized the harm in which they are doing not only onto themselves but others as well, can change before death, then their souls will then be changed as well. Socrates belief that upon his death his soul would therefore leave his body and enter into another phase of life called the afterlife. Here Socrates believed his soul would enter into the afterlife world that was filled with harmony and happiness, based on how he lived his life. For this reason Socrates welcomed death and did not fear it. Socrates theory in how a soul is immortal and will go on forever is the same theory in which several religious groups base Heaven and Hell. Depending on how one lives their life on earth will also determine in which pathway their soul will travel. If one chooses to live a pure life, then their soul will travel the pathway to harmony. Those who choose to live a life of evil will then take the pathway into which they will need to bargain their way back to the pathway of harmony or continue to flutter around in the unknown or as religious groups call it Hell. Reference: Plato, & Jowett, B. (1901). Phaedo. Dialogues of Plato: With Analyses and Introduction; Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY, 363-447.