Who is Simmias in Phaedo?

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Simmias is one of Socrates’ interlocutors in Plato’s Phaedo. This is a philosophical dialogue by Plato, so the analogy presented in it by the character Simmias, although summarized here, need not reflect the views of the historical Simmias. Body is visible, composite and mortal. A harp is visible, composite and mortal.

What is Simmias objection in Socrates in Phaedo?

Simmias’ objection is that the soul’s relation to the body might only be like the harmony or attunement of a lyre: “One might say the same thing also about an attunement and a lyre and its strings” (85e3-4).

How does Socrates respond to Simmias?

Socrates admits he is very impressed with Simmias’ argument. Before answering him, though, he asks Cebes to put forth his argument. Cebes says that though he follows the argument that the soul existed before birth, he is still not convinced that it is immortal.

What is Phaedo by Plato about?

The Phaedo is one of the most widely read dialogues written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. It claims to recount the events and conversations that occurred on the day that Plato’s teacher, Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.), was put to death by the state of Athens.

Who was Critos?

An old friend of Socrates, about his age. Like many of Plato’s dialogues, the Crito takes its name from Socrates’ primary interlocutor. Crito is a long-time follower of Socrates, and is deeply distraught at the prospect of Socrates’ impending execution.

What is Simmias attunement thesis?

‘ In the person of Simmias, he presents the thesis that the mind is an emergent property of matter, and is dependent upon a particular organization of matter for its very existence. He likens it to a harmonious sound, brought about by tuned strings on a musical instrument.

How do we get knowledge according to Socrates in the Phaedo?

Socrates claims that the soul should withdraw from physical senses and use only pure thought to attain true knowledge. At the same time, he claims that the soul can recollect true realities, the knowledge of which it had previously possessed, only through sense perception.

What is the thesis of Phaedo?

The Phaedo gives us four different arguments for the immortality of the soul: The Argument from Opposites, the Theory of Recollection, the Argument from Affinity, and the final argument, given as a response to Cebes’ objection.

Who is Critobulus?

Critobulus (Κριτόβουλος) (469-? BC) = a childhood friend of Socrates and a lifelong member of his “inner circle”; regarded by later historians as “licentious and extravagant” (469-? BC); (= Crito of Alopece [Κρίτων Άλωπεκῆθεν], not to be confused with all sorts of other people named Crito, including his father.)

Is Crito a real person?

Life. Crito grew up in the Athenian deme of Alopece alongside Socrates and was of roughly the same age as the philosopher, placing his year of birth around 469 BC.

What are the four arguments Socrates offers for the immortality of the soul?

Who is Simmias in the Phaedo?

The main interlocutor, along with Cebes, of the Phaedo. He is a Pythagorean philosopher from Thebes who has come to speak with Socrates before his death. The main interlocutor, along with Simmias, of the Phaedo. He is a Pythagorean philosopher from Phaedondas who has come to speak with Socrates before his death.

Why is Simmias less tall than Phaedo?

Nor, again, is he less tall than Phaedo because Phaedo is Phaedo, but because Phaedo has largeness relative to Simmias’ smallness. That’s it.

What is the analogy of Simmias in Plato’s Phaedo?

Who is Phaedo in the Socratic dialogue?

Phaedo – The narrator and namesake of the dialogue. He is a handsome young man from Elis who has become enamored of Socrates and his teachings. Like Plato, the historical Phaedo dedicated himself to philosophy, and wrote Socratic dialogues in honor of his mentor.