Ideas from 'Phaedo' by Plato [374 BCE], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Complete Works' by Plato (ed/tr Cooper,John M.) [Hackett 1997,0-87220-349-2]].

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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom
Wisdom makes virtue and true goodness possible
1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / b. Philosophy as transcendent
Philosophy is a purification of the soul ready for the afterlife
2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 3. Pure Reason
In investigation the body leads us astray, but the soul gets a clear view of the facts
The soul on its own enters a pure, unchanging and eternal realm, and experiences wisdom
2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 7. Status of Reason
The greatest misfortune for a person is to develop a dislike for argument
2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 1. Dialectic
Cebes responds critically to every idea he hears
2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 3. Question Begging
If you want to discover facts, don't muddle the start of enquiry with its conclusion
6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / f. Arithmetic
If you add one to one, which one becomes two, or do they both become two?
8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 2. Internal Relations
If Simmias is taller than Socrates, that isn't a feature that is just in Simmias
8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / a. Platonic Forms
We must have a prior knowledge of equality, if we see 'equal' things and realise they fall short of it
If we perceive equals, we need prior knowledge of the equal in itself
The Forms arise whenever we talk of something 'in itself'.
Things like the Equal and the Beautiful, which are real, must be unchanging
8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / b. Partaking
Other things are named after the Forms because they participate in them
One and one can only become two by sharing in Twoness
There is only one source for all beauty
8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / d. Forms critiques
Whether things are large or small needs the Forms of largeness and smallness
9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 9. Ship of Theseus
The ship which Theseus took to Crete is now sent to Delos crowned with flowers
12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 3. Innate Knowledge / b. Recollection doctrine
People are obviously recollecting when they react to a geometrical diagram
If we feel the inadequacy of a resemblance, we must recollect the original
12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 6. A Priori from Reason
To achieve pure knowledge, we must get rid of the body and contemplate things with the soul
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 1. Perception
Philosophy reveals that the senses are extremely deceptive
13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 1. Justification / b. Need for justification
If a man knows something, he can give an account of it
14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / g. Causal explanations
To investigate the causes of things, study what is best for them
14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence
We no longer explain a hot body by 'heat', but by its containing fire
15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 8. Brain
Do we think and experience with blood, air or fire, or could it be our brain?
15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 7. Seeing Resemblance
When lovers see a beloved's lyre, they immediately think of the beloved
16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 1. Identity and the Self
One soul can't be more or less of a soul than another
18. Thought / D. Concepts / 1. Concepts / b. Concepts in philosophy
Threeness brings up oddness, which won't admit evenness
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / e. Role of pleasure
It is a mistake to think that the most violent pleasure or pain is therefore the truest reality
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / b. Temperance
Normal temperance - scorn and control of desires - needs contempt of the body, and wisdom
Well-ordering is not temperance; it is just fear of pleasure becoming excessive
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / c. Wealth
War aims at the acquisition of wealth, because we are enslaved to the body
25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 4. Suicide
Sometimes, and for some people, death is better than life
We belong to the gods, and only kill ourselves if they indicate some necessity
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 2. Types of cause
Fancy being unable to distinguish a cause from its necessary background conditions!
26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / a. Scientific essentialism
Snow ceases to be snow if it admits the hot; it is the same if fire admits the cold
27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 1. Cosmology
If the Earth is spherical and in the centre, it is kept in place by universal symmetry, not by force
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 2. Immortality / a. Immortality
It is a common fear that the soul may entirely disperse immediately after death
Simmias fears that the beautiful soul is attunement of the body, and dies with it
Whether the soul pre-exists our body depends on whether it contains the ultimate standard of reality
Critias thinks soul survives death into another body, but that process may still terminate
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 2. Immortality / d. Heaven
After death I expect to join the wise gods, and good men