Literal Comprehension: This text was written by Plato, a great Greek philosopher and
disciple of Socrates. It is about the last moment of Socrates’ death and his
philosophy of life,death and rebirth. Socrates was amused of misleading youths
of Athens teaching his philosophy. For the punishments, the ruler declared his
death sentence. Phaedo was present when Socrates was killed feeding poisons.
So, he has reported here what was the overall condition of Socrates at the last
hour. Because of a mission Socrates’ death execution was delayed until the
arrival of the ship from Delos. When the last time was approaching Socrates was
teaching his philosophy of life, death and beginning of new life to his
disciples and people. His wife, family, relatives were very much sad. On the
day of execution when he finished his philosophical discussion and took bath.
Then the prison officer came and ordered him to take a bowl of poison. There
was no chance in the condition of Socrates. He drank the poison happily. When
the poison spread all parts of his body he sat down and happily took his last
breathe. He made a last wish with Crito to offer a cock to the healing god,
Asclepius.
Interpretation: This philosophical text might be trying
to expose about life death and rebirth. It tells that life and death are two
sides of a coin. Death is a beginning of new life not the end of life. The text
also might be trying to tell about the importance of death. Death is compulsory
if we get life or birth. We should accept death happily because this is a good
chance of next life again. Like Socrates we all should try to be the noblest
and wisest person. He accepts death naturally because he thinks only after
death the heavenly happiness can be achieved. Dying bravely is better than
living like dead one. Death is not any dangerous thing we have to be afraid of
rather a right path to the life of infinity.
Critical Thinking: This lesson has done a lot to avoid the people’s fear and negative
concept about death. Normally, we think death negatively and always scare of
it. But Socrates has faced it bravely and wisely to teach the lesson to all
cowardice people who are chicken hearted in term of death. But there are some
disagreeable aspects that can be raised there. Socrates says death is a path to
heavenly happiness. If so: Is there so far scientific proof of god, heaven,
hell like things? Can we find Socrates like person at present? Can a person
become cheerful at the last hour of file?, etc. still the moral aspect of the
lesson is unquestionable one.
Assimilation: Before reading this text, I used to be too much
frightened of death and loss of precious life. When I read this text I got new
insight in my life. I should be ready to go leaving everything. After death
there can be the beginning of next life. I left becoming much greedy,
money-minded and cruel to other people. Similarly, we must be very- very much
courageous to accept any challenge that comes on the way of life. These types
of visions charged my thinking of life and death very much.
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