k out the purest form of certain "truths." A philosopher cannot attain the actual knowledge of the truths in their life with a body, but hope that it is possible after death frees them from that body. Therefore, by searching endlessly for truth in their physical lives, philosophers can get as close as possible to those truths and then finally attain them in the afterlife, thus explaining Socrates' acceptance of his execution. Socrates is careful to note, though, that although the philosopher should embrace death with the anticipation of a goal fulfilled, no man should take his own life in haste to reach that goal faster. He prefaces his whole argument by noting that he and all philosophers and all humans are possessions of the gods. Socrates says to Simmias and Cebes, "…would you not be angry if one of your possessions killed itself when you had not given any sign that you wished it to die, and if you had any punishment you could inflict, you would inflict it?" So, in the dramatic setting of his final day on earth, Socrates enlightens Simmias and Cebes, illustrating the ways that a philosopher has reason to look forward to death. In doing this, he instills a hope for the perpetuity of the philosophical way of life for all of his successors, and those of us who read their works....
