It is true that we, as living human beings, fear death. It is an unknown frontier that we cannot, despite any technology we develop or heights we reach, can explore. It is the fear of an ultimate end, and the fear of the unknown. However, according to Socrates, death isn't something to fear. It is natural to do so, but from Socrates point of view, death sheds away the body, leaving the soul in its fullness, unbound by the needs of the human body. It is a difficult idea to get your head around, as we tie our body to our very existence, as limiting as the body can be. Socrates acknowledges the weakness of the body, and sees the death of the body as stepping stone to the truest truth. The truth one can only reach by being able to surpass the needs of the physical, which can only come through death.
I commented on Natalie and Ethan's posts.
That is very interesting, I hadn't really grasped what he was saying until I read your post. Because the body has many desires and if you die to the body, to its desires then you are able to search for the truest truth.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point! Socrates argues that the soul is hindered by the body, and in death it is set free. For him, death is something to be sought after persay so that the soul can be truly free and truth can be found.
ReplyDeleteSolid post. Oh to be free from this worldly body and enter into the eternal, that I may know truth.
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