Philosophy, Socrates and Death

Essay Sample on "Philosophy, Socrates and Death"

Philosophy is a vast field. It examines and probes many different fields.

Virtue, morality, immortality, death, and the difference between the

psyche (soul) and the soma (body) are just a few of the many different

topics which can be covered under the umbrella of philosophy.

Philosophers are supposed to be experts on all these subjects. The have

well thought out opinions, and they are very learned people. Among the

most revered philosophers of all time was Socrates. Living around the 5th

century B.C., Socrates was among the first philosophers who wasn't a

sophist, meaning that he never felt that he was wise for he was always in

the pursuit of knowledge. Unfortunately, Socrates was put to death late

in his life. One of his best students, Plato, however, recorded what had

occurred on that last day of Socrates' life. On that last day of his

life, Socrates made a quite powerful claim. He claimed that philosophy

was merely practice for getting used to death and dying.

At first, the connection between philosophy and death is not clear.

However, as we unravel Socrates' argument backing up his claim, the

statement makes a lot of sense. In order for Philosophers to examine

their world accurately and learn the truth accurately, they must remove

them selves of all distractions. These not only include physical

distractions, but they include mental distractions and bodily

distractions as well. Philosophers must get used to viewing and examining

the world with out any senses. Senses merely hinder and obscure the

truth. Sight for example can be fooled easily with optical illusions

which occur normally in nature. Sound can be very distracting as well

when a philosopher is trying to concentrate. All of these cloud the

judgement, and must therefore be detached from the soul. Socrates argues

that philosophers must view the world around them with their souls in

order to accurately learn about it. However, by detaching their souls

from all bodily functions, philosophers may as well be in an induced

state of death. In mortem, the soul wanders free and there are no bodily

hindrances.