Self-discovery in Plato's 'Phaedo'
How can we know ourselves? This thesis argues that Platoâs dialogue Phaedo replies to this difficult question. The dialogue suggests that we must discover our intellectual desire and governing function through the practice of philosophical investigation. Although this is an implicit suggestion, it is just as important as the explicit discussion of the soulâs immortality. Focusing on this topic, the thesis also argues that we should read the dialogue as a suggestion for the process of improving a human being; it does not intend to provide a complete definition of the soulâs nature. A philosopher will recognise his progress towards achieving his objective, the Forms, through the investigation itself. Moreover, this thesis argues that Phaedo asserts that a philosophical desire should be found explicitly in a process of discussion with Socrates. In the first main discussion of the dialogue, interlocutors of Socrates request him to defend the goodness of death (62c-63a). This goodness is based on a claim that death as the soulâs separation from the body provides them with wisdom. However, the defence will be meaningless to people who do not desire wisdom. When the interlocutors become clearly conscious
Miura, Taichi
Self-discovery in Plato's 'Phaedo'. How can we know ourselves? This thesis argues that Platoâs dialogue Phaedo replies to this difficult question. The dialogue suggests that we must discover our intellectual desire and governing function through the practice of philosophical investigation. Although this is an implicit suggestion, it is just as important as the explicit discussion of the soulâs immortality. Focusing on this topic, the thesis also argues that we should read the dialogue as a suggestion for the process of improving a human being; it does not intend to provide a complete definition of the soulâs nature. A philosopher will recognise his progress towards achieving his objective, the Forms, through the investigation itself. Moreover, this thesis argues that Phaedo asserts that a philosophical desire should be found explicitly in a process of discussion with Socrates. In the first main discussion of the dialogue, interlocutors of Socrates request him to defend the goodness of death (62c-63a). This goodness is based on a claim that death as the soulâs separation from the body provides them with wisdom. However, the defence will be meaningless to people who do not desire wisdom. When the interlocutors become clearly conscious
self discovery plato know argues plato_dialogue reply difficult question dialogue suggest must discover intellectual desire governing function practice philosophical investigation although implicit suggestion important explicit discussion soul immortality focusing topic also_argue read dialogue suggestion process improve human intend_provide complete definition soul nature philosopher recognise progress_towards achieve_objective forms investigation itself moreover_argue assert philosophical desire find explicitly process discussion socrates first main discussion dialogue interlocutor socrates request defend goodness death goodness base claim death soul separation body provide wisdom however defence meaningless people desire wisdom interlocutor become clearly conscious