The philosopher and the death: a study on Phronesis in Plato\'s Phaedo

Author(s)

Sheila Paulino e Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2010-03-12

Examining board members

Roberto Bolzani Filho; Maurício Pagotto Marsola; Adriano Machado Ribeiro

• Advisor: Roberto Bolzani Filho

Abstract

In our searching of the dialogue Phaedo, we will start by analyzing the reasons that Socrates presents to not fear death, wich are based on discourse about the nature of the soul, to examine the evidence that rationality, specifically the phronesis, offers about the boundaries between the area of the super-sensitive and the human life´s area. Such reflection, while denouncing their nature and guides the man towards to the exercise of philosophy, also provides at same time references about the limitations of the intellect to say about this area, distinct of the area of sensitivity. We will check the collaboration of phronesis in the development of the discourse on immortality, wich justifies the fearlessness of the death, and the various ways in which we can understand it in dialogue. (AU)