ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the discussion between Echecrates of Phlius and Phaedo about Phaedo's conversation that took place during Socrates last hours in prison. Phaedo describes the scene when Socrates friends visited the prison for the last time. Socrates explains, and sends Euenus a message of farewell, with the advice that he should follow him as soon as possible; and this somewhat surprising advice is explained on the grounds that while one should not commit suicide. Death is the separation of soul from body, and that is what the philosopher wants, for he holds bodily pleasures cheap, and in the pursuit of wisdom, the body is a hindrance, because the senses are not accurate or reliable, and emotions and bodily needs distract the mind. It may be that the rest of mankind are not aware that those who apply themselves correctly to the pursuit of philosophy are in fact practising nothing more nor less than dying and death.
