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Single Idea 344

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / e. Death ]

Full Idea

If death is like a night of dreamless sleep it is an advantage, for such nights are very pleasant, and eternity would seem like a single night.

Gist of Idea

If death is like a night of dreamless sleep, such nights are very pleasant

Source

Socrates (reports of last days [c.399 BCE]), quoted by Plato - The Apology 40d

Book Ref

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.35


A Reaction

Dreamless sleep is only pleasant if being awake is unpleasant. Very quiet days are only pleasant if the active days are horrible. A desire for a totally quiet life is absurd.


The 9 ideas from 'reports of last days'

The unexamined life is not worth living for men [Socrates]
Men fear death as a great evil when it may be a great blessing [Socrates]
Will I stand up against the law, simply because I have been unjustly judged? [Socrates]
If death is like a night of dreamless sleep, such nights are very pleasant [Socrates]
We should not even harm someone who harms us [Socrates]
A good man cannot be harmed, either in life or in death [Socrates]
One ought not to return a wrong or injury to any person, whatever the provocation [Socrates]
Wealth is good if it is accompanied by virtue [Socrates]
Socrates is accused of denying the gods, saying sun is stone and moon is earth [Socrates, by Plato]