Why Socrates Does Not Fear Death

Speaking about his reputation as a wise man, Socrates states that his “human wisdom” makes him wise, in a limited sense. A close evaluation and understanding of his definition of “human wisdom” and how it makes him wise will reveal why Socrates does not fear death. In fact, he states that death is a “blessing”(65). In The Apology, Socrates has to defend himself against several charges. Some of these charges are; corruption of youth, impiety, …

…who only claims to. He will also be able to learn those things that he was not able to learn because of his human form. He will be in the care of greater gods, and be in the company of greater men (greater than those he stands before now). Socrates sees those dead men as a way to improve his spiritual integrity because he will learn from their knowledge. For these reasons, Socrates welcomes death.