The work of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato “Fedon” is written in the style of dialogue and named after Fedon, a Socratic student. It tells about the dying conversation of Socrates with his students. The main part of the work in an art form analyzes the theme of the immortality of the soul.
Plunging into the content of the Platonic "Fedon", we are approaching the time of Socrates. The philosophical thought of the Greeks destroyed the faith in the Olympic gods. Socrates was one of the first to touch on monotheism. In understanding the essence of higher powers, he became close to monotheists. He began to understand the deity not as a natural force, but as the strength of a person’s moral education. He identified God with good and good. Socrates was indifferent to natural physics, he was more interested in the moral side of society.
Fedon
Before you begin to study the summary of Plato "Fedon", it should be noted that the basis for creating the dialogue was the meeting of the Pythagorean from the city of Flunt Ehekrat with Fedon, who was a native of Elis. The latter was captured in the war, and then sold into slavery in Athens. Socrates made a lot of efforts to redeem it. Fedon became one of the philosopher's favorite students, who later organized one of the Socratic philosophical schools - the Elido-Eretheian.
The work of Plato "Fedon". Summary. Chapter by chapter
The story of the dialogue can begin with the fact that the closest students of Socrates, among whom were Fedon, Kebs, Symmius, old Criton and others, witnessed his execution in prison. The story mentions his wife Xantipa, who was sobbing near the philosopher, his children, a slave and a servant, from whom he took a bowl of poison - such was the verdict of the Athenian Democratic Court. A month after the death of the famous thinker, Fedon in Fliunte meets with Eherat and tells him how he behaved and what Socrates said in his last minutes of his life.
From the summary of Plato’s “Fedon”, one can learn about the state of Socrates when his students came to him in prison. This is discussed in the first chapter. In other chapters, their great teacher spoke of simple but very important things. For example, that the rejection of habitual pleasures and addictions brightens the mind and thereby purifies the flesh and soul of a person.
"Fedon" of Plato. Summary of the work
The philosopher believes that thoughts of suicide should not be allowed, because a higher power punishes this act in heaven. For this, in fact, Socrates was tried in Athens. The Athenians saw in his teaching a sermon on some new god, and this was considered a serious state crime in ancient Greece. Such misconduct was punishable by death.
Truth is love and God
What is Plato's labor dialogue about? "Fedon" in brief can be described in a few words. The great thinker spoke of the simplest truths. He argued that natural kindness is good for man. And that he who does evil does not know that it is evil, because because of his ignorance he cannot distinguish between them. An uneducated person takes evil for good. However, deep Socratic thought greatly confused his students. They answered him: how so ?! There are a huge number of people who knowingly do evil, commit crimes and create deadly poisons. However, Socrates countered by the fact that they are smart, but not wise, and they do not know the truths completely, only a small particle.
The Christian orientation of Socrates
This idea is very close to the Christian religion, as believers speak of truth and love, which merge into God.
Socrates moved along the path of knowing God through the world around him. This work has more religious content, although the author did not strive for this. Here Plato touches on questions to which we still do not know the answer. Socrates offers to think about his life, he is trying to prove that the soul will survive the body and will travel through the delightful places of the divine world.
Conclusion
Even in the summary of Plato’s Fedon, one can trace not only the historicity of an important debate about fate - this dialogue has become the key to Socratic doctrines on the immortality of the soul.
The work ends with a description of the scene when Socrates drinks poison from a hemlock and utters the last parting words. The atmosphere is permeated with the deepest tragedy and makes a strong impression on the reader.