e imperfect sensual images of objects to be representations of various perfect attributes themselves. With the soul existing before the body, the soul can not have attunement for it implies that the soul is dependent upon the body for its existence. Therefore the truth to an object in itself and by itself can not be contained in the physical representation given to us by the senses, therefore a philosopher should, in the search of truth, disregard the sensual distractions of the body. Allowing the intellect to be as free as possible for philosophical contemplation. With the abandonment of the physical the philosopher is given greater ability to practice his or her search for truth. Thus, the philosopher, being in pursuit of the truth is also in the pursuit of death as means to gain absolute truth. For only through death is it possible for the soul be completely free of the confines and distractions of the body, the state that is necessary for pure contemplation. This cyclic nature of life and death, of understanding and confusion, is an outline of what philosophy is, and how it leads to the acquirement of absolute knowledge. For even though Socrates says that the physical is only a distraction to the pursuit of wisdom, that very pursuit is dependent upon the understanding of the physical to be able to establish what is truth. If any aspect of exploration is left uninvestigated the results it achieves, being any truth or knowledge uncovered, become partial in nature. Socrates alludes to this himself when he encourages Pheado by running his fingers through his hair. “So he laid his hand on my head on my head and gathered up the hair on my neck.” (13) Furthermore, Socrates suggests that they should all cut off their hair until the present argument is solved satisfactually. For without physical representation we have no ability to identify any aspect of perfection, for only through imperfect sensory information can we appreciate...
