Death In Plato's Apology

The “What If?” About Death The subject of death still proves to be under considerable debate. It is no secret that persons fear the unknown: asking yourself a question as simple as “What if?” can stimulate anxiety or panic. People are programmed to be resistant toward pain. They dislike suffering— physical or emotional— and despise the uncertainty that plagues certain topics such as their own mortality. Death is said, more often than not, to be tragic. Media evoking the same message surrounds us: we live in constant fear of our life-clock halting. A day at the grocery store could be riddled with fear if one starts worrying about the potential hazards that could lead to their doom. Driving back home is equipped with hundreds of more fears that

Socrates, the central character, is condemned to death by jury, due to various accounts of corruption. His defense of these claims lead to his inevitable condemning. In unity with an Epicurean viewpoint, Plato (through Socrates) states, “[D]eath is a blessing, for it is one of two things: either the dead are nothing and have no perception of anything, or it is, as we are told, a change and a relocating for the soul from here to another place” (Apology, 40c-d). From one side of a philosophical debate, Socrates enables readers to understand two possible outcomes: death does not harm one, because of no perception; or, death can be positive and one’s soul can reach another realm of consciousness or spirituality. Whether one believes in an afterlife of some sort, or reincarnation, Socrates still speaks fondly of the absence of all sensations if this “relocation” does not exist. To summarize, death cannot be detrimental because one does not actually experience death consciously. Socrates further explains the idea of a continuing soul during the end of his trial. Plato writes, in Socrates’ voice, “If, on the other hand, death is a change from here to another place, and what we are told is true and all who have died are there, what greater blessing could there be, gentlemen of the jury?” (Apology, 40e-41a). Socrates does not fear death. In fact, Socrates seems inviting of death and dismisses any options to escape his

He was condemned by jury and followed their decision. Socrates could have fled, or act in outrage or despair at the jury’s conclusion, but instead he remained calm. Socrates seems to understand why he was sentenced and, instead of objecting it, he chooses to stay compliant. I believe the idea of death causes us greater harm when we do not stay compliant with the natural order of life. If we are meant to die, we will die. Whether one believes that to be a result of fate, God, or even misfortune, there will be no pausing of the natural order of life. If one tries to adjust this order, or rebel against it by fearing it, they will do greater harm to themselves by living a life filled with anxiety. It is true that each day we live we are closer to our death. However, this doesn’t have to be an idea bringing us into complete panic-induced catatonia. It also doesn’t have to be a fear-filled sentence bringing us closer towards our inevitable destruction. If our souls move from our bodies into the unknown, or maybe even if our senses completely numb into nothingness, it is a result of living. In my opinion, the only way to not fear death, or view it as being bad, is to cherish your life. Enjoy your senses while you have them. Enjoy moments you witness. These moments may continue after we die, or they may stop abruptly, but dying is not a loss of life. To be alive is such an incredible thing that