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Phaedo

Plato·c. 380 BCE·Greek

About this text

The dialogue set on the day of Socrates' execution. Contains arguments for the immortality of the soul and the theory of recollection.

The soul, whose inseparable attitude is life, will never admit of life's opposite, death. Thus the soul is shown to be immortal, and since immortal, indestructible.

Were you not afraid, Socrates, asked Simmias, that when the soul leaves the body it may be dispersed like smoke, and that this may be the end of her?

I have a firm hope, said Socrates, that there is something in store for those who have died, and, as has been said of old, something better for the good than for the wicked.

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