Leiden University Student Repository

Royen, Hester van (2020)

Making Sense of Socrates' Death

Bachelor thesis | Wijsbegeerte (BA)

Based on the interpretations of Plato, Epicurus and Augustine, it is not possible to clarify Socrates’ death with one solid answer. Therefore, it is necessary to return to Frey’s interpretation of suicide. With the explanation of Frey’s other-inflicted suicide it is possible to make sense of Socrates’ death. Socrates has placed himself knowingly and willingly in a position where he had to die. Because he manipulated the state, he was forced to drink the hemlock. This approach of hurting himself cannot be seen as a rejection of the gods, yet he can achieve his desired premature death. It is possible to solve the discrepancy in Phaedo about Socrates’ death with the clarification that Socrates has committed other-inflicted suicide.

Suicide

Death

Socrates

Plato

Author

Royen, Hester van

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Filosofie van mens, techniek en cultuur

Supervisors

Bdaiwi, Ahab

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en