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Single Idea 339

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

Full Idea

No one knows whether death may not be the greatest of all blessings for a man, yet men fear it as if they knew that it is the greatest of evils.

Gist of Idea

Men fear death as a great evil when it may be a great blessing

Source

Socrates (reports of last days [c.399 BCE]), quoted by Plato - The Apology 29a

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.27


A Reaction

As a neutral observer, I see little sign of it being a blessing, except as a relief from misery. It seem wrong to view such a natural thing as evil, but it is the thing most of us least desire.