Dialogue 4, Part 3 Summary and Analysis

"Phaedo", conclusion. Phaedo describes how, after a brief contemplative silence, Simmias and Cebes both present arguments against Socrates' theory. Simmias suggests that because the incorruptible soul is connected to the corruptible body, she might leave the body as the result of it being damaged (but not destroyed). Cebes suggests that the soul, having "worn out many bodies," might not herself perish "and leave her last body behind her", said circumstance being true death. Phaedo then describes to Echecrates how there was, in the moments after the questions, there was a degree of fear in the room that Socrates had been asked questions he couldn't answer. However, Phaedo then narrates Socrates' response - how he warned against becoming a hater of ideas for their own sake, how he proved Simmias' argument was false (essentially saying that the soul is not...