Socrates' Apology

Introduction

Death as can be simply put is the end of the physical life on earth. What happens after that has been captured as mysterious and many views towards what really happens afterwards have emerged. Accurately, we can say that the degree of fear of death is a matrix that is a result of many factors, many of which have a bearing on the faith or one’s belief. Beliefs in existence can be segmented as based on religion and some logics. In Socrates’ apology (Plato, nd), there are divergent views that crop up most of which capture the view of the majority of people with different beliefs.

Views on Death

Speaking about the divergent views on death, there are those who believe that the state of death is the end of it all. This captures the ideology that the state of death is not a phase in one’s life that will yield to another phase but the ultimate end (Reeve, 1989). On the other hand, there is a school of thought that embraces the idea that the event of death is a step to get to the Supreme Being. That is, to get to another world where people do not exist in the body form but as souls.

Death as the End of it All

To evaluate death as an end, it is imperative that we evaluate what really ends. Are we enjoying the life we live? Are we tired of living? These are the guiding questions in this argument. As it may be a wonder in this world, there are people who due to the circumstances that dominate their present living conditions, view death as an off-load that is a big solution to them. On the other hand, there are those whose living conditions are very good, and we can say that they are enjoying themselves. Even so, they need rest which may be ultimately offered or enjoyed in the total unconsciousness of death.

As such, the view of death, as a solution to everyone, is totally possible in this realm of belief. If the rich need rest while the people who are experiencing economic turmoil or other hardships in life need it too, then we can find a minor exception in this. This argument is based on the existence of this kind of relief that apparently is needed by all.

Death as a Path to another world

Religion has a reliance on the bearing that upon death, there is a movement of the spirit (the soul) into another world referred to by many names some of which are heaven and hell among others. Some divide the afterlife into a good place and a bad place. For example, heaven is a good place whereas hell is a bad place (St George Storck, 2009). In the event of death, there is judgment that will determine the place to which one will be taken to. This is based on one’s actions in the world currently. Good people on this earth will go to the good place, and the bad will go to the bad place.

Arguably, judgments of this earth can be unfair, harsh and may be directed to serve the course of a few people in authority (Plato and Cooper, 2000). Judgment in the afterlife is fair due to the ability of the supreme beings to discern truth from lies; and punishment or reward is given accordingly. Good people in this world will get even better life if they have a good life currently whereas good people who are facing hard times will get what they deserve. Evil in this world is punished but it is hard to really know whether the motive and the person under punishment deserve what is being announced. As a result, the idea of fairness in judgment, reward or punishment is a relief and not a source of fear.

Conclusion

Critically looking at the facts and evidence presented, it is vividly indicated that the inclination of death towards a better result is the case in most instances. I agree with Socrates that, indeed, there should be no fear of death due to the good that it will bring. Admittedly, it should be taken into consideration that there may be a few loopholes that may make the argument seem generalized; one’s perception of what is good is the line that draws the conclusion.