Euthyphro, Apology, Crito (E)

(Originally written December 26, 2006 in Book 7)

I can't catch a break on this vacation.

I'm not feeling that great; my throat is a little sore. But, that is the minor problem in this house. She was sick all day yesterday. I was trying to watch some TV, but the four kids here would have none of that. They are truly unbelievable. Wild kids. So I went and laid down about 8:00. But, I fell asleep and woke at 2:00 am. I was just wide awake. I went upstairs to get some food. Kathi was sick and Bob wasn't sure if she wasn't going into early labor, so he took her to the hospital. So, the madness continues. But we must focus on Plato... Maybe.


Euthyphro, Apology, Crito
Plato
Translation F. J. Church
Bobby-Merrill Co., Inc. Indianapolis, 1956

Apology Continued...

"Wherever a man's station is, whether he has chosen in of his own will, or whether he has been placed at it by his commander, there it is his duty to remain and face the danger without thinking of death or of any other thing except disgrace" (Plato, 34).

To fear death is to believe one wise when one is not. No one knows if death is the greatest thing that can happen to a man.

Socrates seems to take an ascetic pride in his poverty.

He speaks about an inner voice (a consciousness) that tells him not to do something if he sets out to do it; but, that consciousness never tells him to act or to do something.

He holds that justice is fought for best by private citizens, not politicians.

Socrates is more concerned with not acting unjustly or impiously than with death.

After being condemned to death Socrates explains that his accusers have been condemned to wickedness, a far worse fate.

Death is not necessary an evil.

Death is one of two things:
1) Annihilation
2) the migration of the soul to another place

Annihilation will be like an uninterrupted sleep and good or a "wonderful gain"

The migration of a soul to another place would be an opportunity to continue the search for wisdom.

Face death hopefully.

Believe that no evil can happen to a good man in life or death.

What happens does not do so by chance.