The Divinity of Souls: From Socrates (vegetarian) in “Phaedo” by Plato (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Today, we are pleased to present excerpts from “Phaedo” by Plato (vegetarian), where Socrates (vegetarian) explains to Cebes (vegetarian) and Simmias (vegetarian) why our souls do not die at the time of physical death.

PHAEDO THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL

“[… Socrates] proceeded: ‘If those things which we are continually talking about really exist, the beautiful, the good, and every such essence, and to this we refer all things that come under the senses, as finding it to have a prior existence, and to be our own, and if we compare these things to it, it necessarily follows, that as these exist, so likewise our soul exists even before we are born; but if these do not exist, this discussion will have been undertaken in vain, is it not so? And is there not an equal necessity both that these things should exist, and our souls also, before we are born; and if not the former, neither the latter?’

‘Most assuredly, Socrates,’ said Simmias, ‘there appears to me to be the same necessity; and the argument admirably tends to prove that our souls exist before we are born, just as that essence does which you have now mentioned. […]”

“‘[…] For if the soul exists before, and it is necessary for it when it enters into life, and is born, to be produced from nothing else than death, and from being dead, how is it not necessary for it also to exist after death, since it must need be produced again? What you require, then, has been already demonstrated. However, both you and Simmias appear to me as if you wished to sift this argument more thoroughly, and to be afraid, like children, lest, on the soul’s departure from the body, the winds should blow it away and disperse it, especially if one should happen to die, not in a calm, but in a violent storm.’ Upon this Cebes, smiling, said, ‘Endeavor to teach us better, Socrates, as if we were afraid, or rather not as if we were afraid, though perhaps there is some boy within us who has such a dread. Let us, then, endeavor to persuade him not to be afraid of death, as of hobgoblins.’ ‘But you must charm him every day,’ said Socrates, ‘until you have quieted his fears.’ […]”