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How to Die Well: The Phaedo
What is the Phaedo? Most summaries will say that it is a dialogue about the immortality of the soul. In it you will find some arguments for and against this claim (mainly for). Whilst dying, Socrates argues that he is not dying but only being separated from his body. His body is dying, for sure, but he is not his body: he is his soul and the soul cannot die. Or so he says. What does the Phaedo show? It shows Socrates dying and dying well. He is calm, serene, even cheery. He does not hesitate to take the poison.…
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Ask the Right Question: The Laches
Socrates is always asking questions. But not just any questions: he wants to ask the right questions. Understanding which, of all the questions, is the right question, and how to ask that question in the right way, is one of the most important things you can learn from philosophy. If you ask the wrong question you will always get the wrong answer.
