Why does Socrates think that the body is an impediment to the soul?

Katherine Tinoco

Dr. O’Connor

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Question/Annotated Bibliography

March 22, 2020

Question:

In what ways can a philosopher diverge from their foremost teachings such that the assumption of heresy is presumed by the Greeks?

Arendt, H. (2006). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Philosophy and Politics. Retrieved

from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/arendt/

This article focuses on the political climate that clashed with philosophy and ultimately led to the execution of Socrates. This text focuses on the social affairs within socrates’ life and how they defined it as a melting pot for controversy. Arendt pointed out that in some instances, some philosophers used their teachings to coincide with politics but pointed out that Socrates’ case was different in terms of obedience. Moreover, it is described as something that is taught by discipline of oneself and lacks science to prove it but still exists in societies such as Greek culture which held a variety of Philosophers.

Austin, E. (2009). Washington University Open Scholarship. Fear and Death in Plato,

64. Retrieved from https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=etd

This source is a thesis about fear and death in Plato’s work, in which chapter three focuses on that Phaedo and how it emphasizes the courage of facing fear. The chapter begins with explaining Socrates’ intent to persuade his friends on the eager attitude one must carry through to the end. Three steps to having that attitude, as described by Austin are having an exemplary philosopher, arguments for the concept of the soul, and the relationship of death and piety. Austin then concludes that philosophers fear death more than the average person. The philosopher's desire for wisdom is what will cause frustration that will cease to exist after death.

Bostock, D. (1999). Oxford University Press. THE SOUL AND IMMORTALITY IN PLATO'S

PHAEDO, 1–21. Retrieved from https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/nathan.poage/phil1301/secondary-sources-on-plato/bostock-soul-and-immortality-in-platos-phaedo

Bostock suggests an alternative view in which death may mean something alternate to the contrary belief. He states that it is unclear to what Socrates means in terms of what dies, and there may be a lot of skepticism based on immortality. Though this point is made, Bostock states that the assumption of the separation of the body and soul is the most probable. He regards the multiple meaning theory where Socrates states the soul does not admit death and therefore remains alive post-mortem. He even offers a theory on the weight of the body of a philosopher in terms of the physical existence of a soul.

Silverman, S. (2010). The Death of Socrates: A Holistic Re-Examination.

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 61(1), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.2190/OM.61.1.d

Silverman’s article is a very in depth one that brings the whole text into consideration, from the beginning of Socrates’ death. The political climate at the time was quite relevant especially in terms of why Socrates was put to death, but the author also connects it to the war between the Spartans and Athenians for further context. There is a lot of personal information on Socrates, but the most important question that is brought up is- “did he want to die?” to which the author provides some insight. The perspective is more on how Socrates’ life was more subpar than imagined due to class, politics and trouble with the law.

MYSTAKIDOU, KYRIAKI. “DEATH AND GRIEF IN THE GREEK CULTURE.” Areteion Hospital, Baywood Publishing Co, 2015, sagepub.com.

This text regards the multiple histories of death within Greek culture, including the Homeric era which was highly regarded for a long period of time (including the classical period). They also allude to when Socrates mentions death but provide the three perspectives that he has in terms of souls transference, death being an experience similar to slumber, or death having no sensation whatsoever. It is also important to note the mention of stoicism which occurred post-plato, in which they adapted similar ideas of the separation of the soul. The most relevant portion is the Mythology section that focuses on the norm of death and its journey for Greeks at the time.