Maybe I’m misunderstanding your interpretation, but I was wondering whether Plato’s language could be understood more metaphorical. When he writes “escape from earth to heaven,” could it be a metaphor for escaping evil morally, like by becoming just, pious, and wise, instead of implying that we must leave behind both this world and our human nature?
And when Plato writes that the philosopher’s mind is elsewhere, could he simply be contrasting an interest in universal questions with being absorbed in gossip, status, etc rather than suggesting that human nature itself should be abandoned?
FWIW, the correct interpretation of this passage is very much in dispute, so I am happy to hear what others are thinking! For me, I think that it is crucial to remember that Plato does believe that we will one day, if we play our cards right, escape the cycle of reincarnation and, in fact, "escape this world." And I think that if we are to become like God, we do cease being humans -- perhaps not in a biological sense (which is simply true of our bodies, not *us*, at any rate), but if someone else wants to argue that this is compatible with preserving human nature, I would be interested in hearing about it!:)
Let contrast what your first paragraph with what Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life." It is not truth alone. The Bible/Genesis said we were created at the image of God. The way of the philosopher is a struggle to get at the truth while the struggle for the christians is to follow Jesus's example , mainly sacrifice our life for others and this lead both to life and truth. Who want to save his life will loose it. And the tale of the original sin in Genesis is a clear warning of the danger of attempting to cross the gap of taking oneself as God or revolting against our own creator. Exactly the goal of many philosophies and certain traditions.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding your interpretation, but I was wondering whether Plato’s language could be understood more metaphorical. When he writes “escape from earth to heaven,” could it be a metaphor for escaping evil morally, like by becoming just, pious, and wise, instead of implying that we must leave behind both this world and our human nature?
And when Plato writes that the philosopher’s mind is elsewhere, could he simply be contrasting an interest in universal questions with being absorbed in gossip, status, etc rather than suggesting that human nature itself should be abandoned?
FWIW, the correct interpretation of this passage is very much in dispute, so I am happy to hear what others are thinking! For me, I think that it is crucial to remember that Plato does believe that we will one day, if we play our cards right, escape the cycle of reincarnation and, in fact, "escape this world." And I think that if we are to become like God, we do cease being humans -- perhaps not in a biological sense (which is simply true of our bodies, not *us*, at any rate), but if someone else wants to argue that this is compatible with preserving human nature, I would be interested in hearing about it!:)
Makes sense, thank you for replying. I'd first need to understand what Plato means by 'human nature' before arguing either way...
Let contrast what your first paragraph with what Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life." It is not truth alone. The Bible/Genesis said we were created at the image of God. The way of the philosopher is a struggle to get at the truth while the struggle for the christians is to follow Jesus's example , mainly sacrifice our life for others and this lead both to life and truth. Who want to save his life will loose it. And the tale of the original sin in Genesis is a clear warning of the danger of attempting to cross the gap of taking oneself as God or revolting against our own creator. Exactly the goal of many philosophies and certain traditions.