Abstract:

This paper investigates the complicated status of critical thought and its suspension in Plato’s ’Phaedo’. The philosophical "heart" of this dialogue lies not in the arguments over the immortality of the soul, but rather in the discrepancy between these and the dramatic occurrences and what this implies. Plato uses Socrates to both embody the ideal of critical reflection and philosophical searching, and at the same time to exhibit moments wherein reflection has to give way to suasion and allowing oneself to be "magically charmed". Withdrawing from a critical attitude is articulated both by Cebes and Siminias who are the sharpest and most critical of Socrates’ interlocutors at the dialogue. But the same "misosophic" movement may also be perceived by Socrates. This makes for a fascinating metaphilosophical vision in which philosophy cannot be equated with argumentative, rigorous thought. Underlying this theme is another one, in which Socrates’ general detachment from his own body and the body of others is momentarily replaced by a connection with a beautiful part of another’s body: Phaedo’s hair. Avoiding a critical attitude intertwines with this abrupt emergence of bodily contact, creating a retreat from a certain vision of philosophical life that we usually identify with Socrates.

Notes:

Cover Date: APR 2002.Source Info: 51, 139-154. Language: Hebrew. Journal Announcement: 36-4. Subject: LITERATURE; METAPHYSICS; MYTH; STYLE. Subject Person: PLATO. Update Code: 20150211.