Plato’s Apology: The Grace of Death

Try Khov

Professor Dale Carrico

Rhetoric 103A

October 2, 2016

GSI: Kuan Hwa

                                          Plato’s Apology: The Grace of Death

            Perhaps no words can better exemplify Socrates’s life than the phrase, “the unexamined life is not worth living”, which Plato attributes to Socrates in Plato’s Apology. The quote was apparently famously uttered as Socrates failed to exonerate himself in court and was ultimately executed. However, what seems to appear as a tragedy to many, Socrates welcomes his fate for he claims, “Let us reflect in another way, and we shall see that there is great reason to hope that death is a good…” (p. 14). In his final words, Socrates attempts to assure his supporters that death is blessing rather than a punishment.

            Although Socrates understands that death is commonly seen as a punishment, he assures otherwise. “I regard [death] as proof that what happened to me is a good, and that those of us who think that death is an evil are in error” (p.13). His reasoning consists of two reason; “either death is a state of nothingness and utter unconscious or, as men say, there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another” (p.14), which implies that he will either not be aware of his death or his soul will move elsewhere. Regarding the former, “Now if you suppose that there is no consciousness, but a sleep like the sleep of him who is undisturbed even by the sight of dreams, death will be an unspeakable” (p.14), Socrates states that if he should fall into a peaceful eternal slumber, then he welcomes death for he will be relieved of suffering. However, should the latter be true, “”But if death is journey to another place … If indeed when the pilgrim arrives in the world below, he is delivered from the professors of justice in this world, and finds the true judges who are said to give judgment there, Minos and Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus and Triptolemus … that the pilgrimage will be worth making” (p.14), then Socrates believes that he will find true justice and be judged righteously by the gods for he believes that the gods will make no mistake unlike their mortal counterparts.

            However, it appears that Socrates seems to favor and perhaps even hope for the latter of the two experiences after his death. “What would a man give if he might converse with Orpheus and Musaeus and Hesiod and Homer? Nay, if this be true, let me die again and again, I too, shall have a wonderful interest in a place where I can converse with Palamedes, and Ajax … and other heroes of old …” (p. 14). Socrates’ tone illustrates eagerness as he hopes to meet and converse the great heroes and characters of Greek mythology. In addition, perhaps Socrates’ ultimate desire in death is his opportunity to continue his pursuit of knowledge for he states, “Above all, I shall be able to continue my search into true and false knowledge … For in that world they do not put a man to death for this; certainly not. For besides being happier in that world than in this, they will be immortal, if what is said is true” (p.14). The use of the phrase “for besides being happier in that world than in this” illustrates Socrates’ optimism and perhaps eagerness to become “immortal” after death for he sees that the current world in which he resides is full of misery and false judgment.

            In conclusion, Socrates makes peace with his fate and assures his supporters that he welcomes it rather than grieve. His reasoning illustrates his character as optimistic in face of death as well as his passion for knowledge and wisdom. Despite his fatal lost to his accusers, he assures them that they gave him a blessing rather than a punishment. Perhaps he sought to deny them their satisfaction in their victory for he lastly proclaims “Wherefore, O judges, be of good cheer about death, and know this of truth – that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death … For which reason also, I am no angry with my accusers, or my condemners … The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways – I die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows” (p.14).  Regardless of his intentions, Socrates ultimately instills the idea that death ought not to be feared but celebrated and welcomed.