Myths of Life and the Afterlife in Plato's dialogues: The Republic

The myth of Er in Plato's Republic, as an image of the choice of life.

The third of three Monday evening sessions on the theme of "Myths of Life and the Afterlife" tonight we look at the myth of Er which Plato presents us with in the last few pages of the Republic.

For the Platonic tradition, the soul is the self that makes choices, thinks, experiences, and directs the life we live: in the 'myth of Er' given at the end of the Republic, not only is the soul depicted as undergoing judgement and receiving due reward for the life it has led on Earth but also as making a choice of its next life before the throne of Necessity and the Fates. This, says, Socrates is why we must learn how to choose the right kind of life both here and in the next world – a good life being that which leads us to being just, and a bad life being one that commits us to injustice. We'll look at the myth and consider the complex psychology enshrined in it. The Platonic tradition rests upon the affirmation that we are largely self-constituted creatures whose central task is to shape ourselves through a philosophical life.

No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.

Entrance in free, but donations between £3-5 will be welcomed.

A PDF download of the extract we will be reading is available on our website together with further details of this and other Prometheus Trust's activities: www.prometheustrust.co.uk (the PDF is on the "London Monday Evenings" page.)

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