Socrates views death as a good thing. He views it as becoming god's possession. The only exception to it being a good thing is suicide, he views it negativity because you leave the earth before you are called upon. When you die you are released and free from evil. You become one with philosophy. Socrates says that death and life are opposites and are connected in a way. After death you loose your body, but your soul is not lost. Instead it's put somewhere safe so that you can be reborn. I have mixed emotions about how I feel about his argument. I view death as neutral. I grew up catholic and I was always told heaven awaits you after you die and you're reunited with you predecease relatives. That to me isn't a bad thing because you get to be with your loved ones, however nobody genuinely wants to die if they feel that they have unfinished business on Earth. Not to mention the loved ones you leave behind here, which I look at negatively. I also believe that our souls are reborn. I strongly believe in past lives and believe there is a connection to them and who were are now.
Kacie, do you believe that when humans die that is the complete end for us? Or, is there a spiritual way in which humans still thrive. Perhaps one's body may not physically be there, but does their soul continue on in a free and prosperous journey, free of sin and mistake?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Andrew's comment above I believe that in your post you said that you believe that our souls are reborn. With this being said I take it as you believe that even after our death ours souls can still thrive and even be reborn into new bodies. The question that I have for you is, do you believe as Socrates does that our bodies prevent us from gaining knowledge?
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I really like your question, it was not something I thought of myself. I believe that our souls do live on in a spiritual way. What I don't know or really know what I myself think truly, is that the journey would be free from all mistakes and sins.
ReplyDeleteHey Kacie,
ReplyDeleteI find it to be an interesting concept for the fact that Socrates thinks of death as a good thing, however not when in terms of suicide. When speaking of suicide, the reason he believes it is not a good thing is because you are manipulating the time of death in which was predetermined for you, therefore it is not okay. This is a fact that I agree with. What do you think about the concept of attempting suicide, however stopping your actions and trying to turn back, but the incident carried on anyway, therefore resulting in death? How do you think Socrates would feel about this?