Phantom of words

1. Literal comprehension: Phaedo is the disciples of Socrates. When Socrates was executed, Phaedo was present at that time. In this story, Phaedo says that Sorates was very wise and brave. He was accused of misleading the youths. So, he was arrested by the authority. However, he was not executed immediately because the ship was to Delos with seven youths and seven maidens. No human murder would take place before the ship comes back. So, Socrates had enough time to beg excuse. The authority also wanted Socrates to beg excuse before he was executed. However, Socrates said that he wanted to die by telling the truth than live by telling the false. So, he decided to give up his life for sake of truth and justice.

Many friends and disciples tried to convince him but only he had to beg excuse. Socrates was great religion philosopher. So he said that dying bravely is for better than living cowardly. He said that our life is only a sleep and we wake-up after death. The authority brought his wife and three sons before him but he did not move a bit. Rather he convinced his wife and sons satisfactorily and sent them home. He even encouraged them to die for the sake of truth and justice. He said he would be under the providence of God even after death. At last, he drank hemlock and left the world. Before his death, he ordered Crito to offer a cock to Asclepius. Thus, the bravest, wisest and upright died.

2. Interpretation: Death is inevitable. All of us should die eventually. Most of the human beings are worried and afraid of death. The story Phaedo teaches us that we should face death as Socrates does. Without being worried and afraid of death, we should live meaningful life. We should always perform our duties walking on the path of truth. We should not hesitate to die for the sake of truth or humanity. Death is a natural force and we cannot escape it. However, we should accept is easily, face it bravely and make our death meaningful.

3. Critical thinking: This essay is very impressive and moral. It teaches us to live bravely, die bravely and always to walk in the path of truth. However, some of the ideas are less convincing. Can we believe on the life after death in this scientific age? On what basis can we believe that we will have rebirth? How was it possible for Socrates to behave normally before his execution? How could he abandon his wife, children and disciples?

4. Assimilation: I am very much affected by this story. The selfless life and true philosophy of Socrates teach us many things. Before reading this story, I was a coward. I was selfish and afraid of death. Now, I have decided to live bravely and die bravely. I have determined not to bow my head before falsehood but to walk on the path of truth holding my head upright.