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The question of immortality is an ancient one and

The question of immortality is an ancient one and is key in philosophy and religion. Man lives a span of years and then dies, and probably from the very beginning of the human race men and women have wondered if there is something beyond death. Ashley Montagu writes: "Man, we reasonably assume, is the only living creature who entertains the idea of immortality" (Montagu 1). Much of religion is concerned with the notion of the afterlife, and many philosophers have considered the nature of the soul and the question of whether it precedes or outlasts the body. Many ancient peoples showed their belief in immortality through burial customs that sent the departed individual to the afterlife with many of his or her possessions, presumably so they could be used there as well. Plato offered his view that the soul and body were not one and that the soul existed before the body and would continue to exist once the body was gone. Much of his "evidence" is simply philosophical speculation and does not prove the falsity of the more logical conclusion, that what we call the soul is part of the body and cannot exist outside of it. Plato considered the issue in the Republic, but he also addressed it in other dialogues which help illuminate what he says in the Republic on this issue.

In the Phaedo, Socrates, representing Plato's position, believes in the eternal life of the soul and guides the discussion in the direction of accepting this idea, offering as he does so several proofs for the immortality of the soul. Immortality was a subject of immediate interest to Socrates at this time because this discussion took place on the last day Socrates is to spend in prison before his execution. Socrates does not fear death because he has complete faith in immortality. He wants to convince his followers to believe in immortality as well. In part, he wants them to be free of anxiety over his fate, and he uses the occasion to speculate on the idea...

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The question of immortality is an ancient one and. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:24, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1707708.html