Plato, Pojmen

Philosophy is an attempt to study the existence of man and mans relationship with existence. The goal of philosophy is to answer questions of life with facts and in hope of understanding mans existence as a whole. Philosophy of logic is based on the study of the methods and principles used to analyze arguments by using inductive and deductive reasoning. Is the baby hungry? By using deductive reasoning the argument to answer this question would be set up to give logically conclusive support 1. The baby is human. 2. All humans are hungry 3. Therefore the baby is hungry. While using inductive reasoning will offer only probable support to any argument of which brings forward a weak to cogent conclusion (pg 33-37). Philosophy of religion is mans endeavor to justify the meaning and significance to human existence. The question for centuries therein lies amongst humanity, is how do we exist? Is there a GOD who created this universe for man to exist? Is there life after death? Philosophy of the mind/ personal identity deals with the relationship of the physical body and the mind. In my daily work as a nurse this comes to the forefront of the interpretation of the level of pain each patient perceives as requiring specific dosages of medication. Pain is considered as the fifth vital sign; "directly observable only be the person who owns it"(pg 283). How does something physical transform into a feeling? In regards to personal identity, the individual's perception of pain can change over their lifespan. As a child any bump or bruise would elicit screaming and crying, in their mind a catastrophic event has happened. This same response coming from an adult would warrant an emergent 911call. Can personal identity change throughout the lifespan? Political philosophy is seeking to understand the way people interact in a political environment. Why would man willingly give up some of his freedoms to be controlled by legislative power? Existentialism studies the meaning of life. If I live a moral life will I have a better afterlife?

Plato's first dialogue, "From Alcibiades"(pg 376) is a discussion between Socrates and Alcibiades about the true self. Socrates argues that the mind is but a "user" of the human body as a craftsman is a user of the tools of his trade. He goes on to argue that a man is not the same as his body but can only be one of three things, a soul, a body or the union of the soul and body. Socrates and Alcibiades are in agreement that the actual ruling of the body is man, but the body cannot rule itself, than the united body and soul cannot possibly rule itself. The conclusion of this argument is that the soul is man and since the soul has absolute existence, Socrates and Alcibiades are speaking soul to soul, not just man to man.(pg.377-378) I agree with this on some level. There are times when one speaks another and it seems that there are words just filling a room. No eye contact is made or non verbal of any kind communication is attempted. There is not a connection made between souls; it is just a conversation between men (women). Then there are times, too few I would have to admit, when there is a connection between souls. Only than there can ensure a rich and fulfilling conversation of which time seems to stand still. Hours may go by without a thought or care; this is when I feel there is a soul to soul connection.

I feel nurse should always take a moment to truly listen to people. As a nurse I listen to people differently than I used to. Before being a nurse, I would always be multitasking, nodding my head and occasionally offering an uh-hum. Now I look into their eyes and give them my whole attention. Not just my patients but also my friends, strangers at the market, my children and neighbors. I listen to what they are saying, reading their body language and expressions. I don't say anything until they ask for my opinion, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, but I still listen.

Plato's second dialogue, "From Phaedo" is an account of Socrates last hours before he is forced to commit suicide by drinking hemlock as his sentence commands him to do. Socrates argument is how he feels the body actually hinders the purity of the soul. He speaks of how the body deceives the soul into wanting human desires such as food, love, power or money. The body is weak and susceptible to disease and illness, impeding the soul's quest. These yearnings distract the soul from acquiring knowledge and hinder the ability of the soul to attain the truth. It is interesting how he describes how a true philosopher while in the personal quest for knowledge and truth may find that solitude helps quiet his mind in order for him to accomplish these tasks and by doing this he his soul is actually betraying the body. The philosophers reflection is as follows" that while we are in the body, and while the soul is mingled with this mass of evil, our desire will not be satisfied, and our desire is of the truth" (pg. 379). Socrates argues that true philosophers should speak to each other without any distractions. That while there is a body and soul connection, a pure conversation or attainment of the truth cannot be had. It is only when the soul is free of the body that this may happen. Only when the soul is quit from the body that the true philosopher would have pure knowledge and his desire will be satisfied. Even still the impure soul still yearns for an earthly body to attach itself to.

I feel that when Socrates states "but remain pure until the hour when God himself is pleased to release us" (pg. 379) he is being certain to clarify that suicide is not an option to free the soul from the body but only a natural death can accomplish this. Socrates perhaps in his own attempt of coping with his inevitable death discusses with Simmias that only true philosophers are "eager to release the soul" and will not fear death (pg.380)." For he will have a firm conviction that there only, and nowhere else, he can find wisdom in her purity"(pg 380). The argument continues to say that the body is changeable and can be visibly seen to decompose it is considered to mortal. Whereas the soul is more like the unchangeable or divine after death or the separation of body and soul. Socrates than concludes