In the “Apology” Socrates is on trial for crimes he has not committed. Socrates ultimately does not fear death because of his innocence, he believes that death is not feared because it may be one of the greatest blessings of the soul. For a person such as Socrates that has lived virtuously there no reason for them to fear death. Socrates makes the argument that one should not fear death because only the gods know what is beyond death,because death could be a blessing. According to Socrates, “I had at the risk of death, like anyone else, remained at my post where those you had elected to command had ordered me, and then, when the god ordered me, as I thought and believed, to live the life as a philosopher, to examine myself and others, I
…show more content…
In Socrates’ words, “You are wrong sir, if you think that a man who is any good at all should take into account the risk of life or death; he should look to this only in his actions, whether what he does is right or wrong, whether he is acting like a good or a bad man.” (28b) For a man who has lived honorably according to Socrates should not even take into account fearing death if they are truly good. If they are performing actions that deem them good, they should not think of death as the “greatest of evils” as Socrates calls it. Socrates states, “To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know” (29b) For someone who has virtue they would be regarded as having high moral character, they would be respectable, but not thinking they are wiser than they are. For Socrates who may be regarded as having virtue, he would not think of himself as wiser than he really is, therefore not fearing …show more content…
For example, an elderly person who has had others pass before them seems to not fear death like their younger relatives may, this could be because they have lived ethically and believe they are worthy of an afterlife. On the other hand, it could be because they have realized that they have no way of knowing what is on “the other side” and that if they have a belief in the afterlife, then it would be a blessing for death to reunite them with their loved ones who have past prior to them. Why I do not fear death is as simple as Socrates states “If it is a complete lack of perception, like a dreamless sleep, then death would be a great advantage.” (40d) For a sufferer of the anxieties that plague the brain, a sleep free of the dreams that may contain such anxieties would be peaceful. Furthering Socrates’ argument, whomever the spirit you believe in, if that divinity decides that it is your time to leave your human form, then there must be a further blessing “I do know, however, that it is wicked and shameful to do wrong, to disobey ones superior, be he a god or a man”.(29c) insert closing sentence
In Socrates’ words, “You are wrong sir, if you think that a man who is any good at all should take into account the risk of life or death; he should look to this only in his actions, whether what he does is right or wrong, whether he is acting like a good or a bad man.” (28b) For a man who has lived honorably according to Socrates should not even take into account fearing death if they are truly good. If they are performing actions that deem them good, they should not think of death as the “greatest of evils” as Socrates calls it. Socrates states, “To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know” (29b) For someone who has virtue they would be regarded as having high moral character, they would be respectable, but not thinking they are wiser than they are. For Socrates who may be regarded as having virtue, he would not think of himself as wiser than he really is, therefore not fearing …show more content…
For example, an elderly person who has had others pass before them seems to not fear death like their younger relatives may, this could be because they have lived ethically and believe they are worthy of an afterlife. On the other hand, it could be because they have realized that they have no way of knowing what is on “the other side” and that if they have a belief in the afterlife, then it would be a blessing for death to reunite them with their loved ones who have past prior to them. Why I do not fear death is as simple as Socrates states “If it is a complete lack of perception, like a dreamless sleep, then death would be a great advantage.” (40d) For a sufferer of the anxieties that plague the brain, a sleep free of the dreams that may contain such anxieties would be peaceful. Furthering Socrates’ argument, whomever the spirit you believe in, if that divinity decides that it is your time to leave your human form, then there must be a further blessing “I do know, however, that it is wicked and shameful to do wrong, to disobey ones superior, be he a god or a man”.(29c) insert closing sentence