What does Hades mean in the Phaedo?

Socrates puts all this mythically by saying that the philosopher will reach the fulfillment of his desire for wisdom in Hades, a word which in Greek is very close to the word for “unseen” or “invisible.” The meaning of the word Hades thus comes to be revised and in a sense reversed.

What is the main idea of Phaedo?

One of the main themes in the Phaedo is the idea that the soul is immortal. In the dialogue, Socrates discusses the nature of the afterlife on his last day before being executed by drinking hemlock.

What did Socrates believe about reincarnation?

Socrates generally presents some version of a theory of reincarnation such as the reincarnation associated with Pythagorean philosophers. The Pythagoreans apparently believed that non-human animals not only had souls, but could specifically have souls that had previously belonged to human beings.

What does Socrates expect to see in the afterlife?

Socrates recounts a myth of the afterlife to illustrate this point. After death, we are all brought to a place of judgment, from whence we are led by a guide to the other world. Socrates explains his belief that the earth is spherical, in the middle of the heavens, and in perfect equilibrium.

What does Socrates believe about the soul?

Socrates believed the soul is immortal. He also argued that death is not the end of existence. It is merely separation of the soul from the body. Plato believed the soul was eternal.

What does Socrates say about death in Phaedo?

Death, Socrates explains, is the separation of the soul from the body. Therefore, death should only be seen as a help to philosophers, giving them even greater separation between soul and body.

What does Socrates demonstrate in the Phaedo?

Socrates draws a distinction between those things that are immaterial, invisible, and immortal, and those things which are material, visible, and perishable. The body is of the second kind, whereas the soul is of the first kind. This would suggest that the soul ought to be immortal and survive death.

How does Socrates define death in Phaedo?

Did Socrates believe that animals have souls?