Philosophy

Introduction

This paper discusses the activity “philosophy” as presented in the works of Plato, as discussed in class and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and as treated by Karl Marx in the Communist Manifesto. The major portion of the paper will be discussing Socrates definition and Plato because most of the time in class was spent on them. Secondly we will be referring to the image saw in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the last portion of the paper, we will discuss how Karl Marx in the Communist Manifesto treated Socrates works.

Discussion

“Philosophy” As Presented In the Works of Plato and Death of Socrates Image

Referring to the image of Socrates death, before his death, Socrates asked Phaedo to bid his friends goodbye. On this request, Simmias was confused that why the friends did followed his death. Then Socrates replied by stating that those who have philosophical spirit are willing to die, but he will take his own life (Eric, pp. 3). Cebes asks Socrates the reason of prohibiting suicide. He asks that why an individual should not take one's life although as philosopher Socrates prefer following the dying one. Socrates replied that the ideal home for the soul is death but a philosopher can commit suicide if such need arises. He forbids the act of suicide because he states that an individual doesn't own and possesses oneself (Plato, pp. 14). Therefore, the body and soul are the property of gods. Socrates believed gods to be the guardian of human beings. Although Socrates did against his prohibition, he embraced death by committing suicide. He focused only on the soul, though he knew that he isn't the sole owner of his body. Body and soul are separate, then. The philosopher frees himself from the body because the body is an impediment to the attainment of truth.

Socrates believed in survival of the soul. He believed in the afterlife where gods judge the actions and behavior performed in worldly life. He said that death may be destruction to life. He admitted that faith exists in immortality and judgment. But for him, faith in judgment and immortality was a risk to his belief (Plato, pp. 16). Socrates, the philosopher prepares for death with the hope of surviving. With death, the soul leaves the body. With this separation, the soul is concerned on the philosophical aspect. To soul, knowledge is an essential phenomenon. Plato concluded that a philosopher views death as a freedom of the soul from the body limitations. He further discussed that philosophy in the aspect for the preparation of death. He says that a philosopher would disregard the body because the body is always a barrier to wisdom. Death is said to be separation of soul and body. This is the reason a philosopher is always prepared for death.

The effect of modern society to the human beings can be in the forms of shortening the attention span, distorting body image, working in conjunction with factors like obesity, fear and increasing aggressiveness and anti-social behaviors. Media rich environment has made the attention span shorter and brief. If a person of modern society is asked to do the same thing without using technology, this may frustrate or ...