The soul

In Plato’s dialogue in Phaedo, Socrates discusses the nature of life after death. To me, the idea of immortality means an endless life or existence. I think that in Plato’s Phaedo, the idea of the soul being immortal is from the spiritual perspective, kind of similar or relating to Christianity and other religions, and it becomes one of the main topics of discussion. Socrates begins with talking about the nature of the soul and he describes it as being separate from the body. In 70a, it is implied that the soul is something physical or material because they were talking about the soul being destroyed. In 70b, the discussion moves to questioning what the soul is capable of and it was said that the soul possesses power and wisdom.

I think that these ideas to tie in with his theory of recollection. If the soul is immortal and it is continually being reborn again, then that would explain part of how the soul knows everything. But then why is it that when we are born again we forget everything that the soul has learned and we have to try and recollect everything? This part is explained in Plato’s other works but it isn’t explained here. But honestly I feel unsatisfied with the way the soul is portrayed because it seems incomplete. I don’t understand what the function of the soul is and also if the soul is material, then what is it made of? If the soul is immortal then that means that it can’t be destroyed.

Lastly, here again Socrates begins an argument and fails to complete it. There is no answer to any of these things about the soul and he leaves us with this endless list of questions. I would just like to know what virtue is, what knowledge is, and what the soul is. If Socrates would just finish what he starts I would be a much happier person.