“灵魂的医生”与身体——再论苏格拉底的临终之言

“The Physician of the Soul” and Body: Rediscussion on the Last Words of Socrates’

思想史上关于《斐多》中苏格拉底遗言的持久讨论正说明了遗言本身的严肃性。本文认为,获得灵魂健康,而非证实灵魂不朽,才是苏格拉底临终乃至终生的最为关怀之事。因此,他向医神献祭公鸡的临终嘱托其实首先是对自我健康的感激,这是通过关心自我的灵魂以实现神的关心而获得;其次是对集体治愈的感激,这是通过劝告他人关心自我灵魂的哲学讨论而实现。尽管身体有其脆弱性,但灵魂的健康必须在以身体为训练场所和质料的哲学生活中得以实现;《斐多》对身体脆弱性的揭示,实质是用一种隐喻的方式对人的具身生活本质的揭露,并以此暗示哲学实践之必要性和可能性。

The lasting discussion on the last words of Socrates in Phaedo has precisely showed the seriousness of the last words themselves. This paper argues that for the dying Socrates,even in his whole life,the crucial thing he cares about is not to prove the immortality of the soul,but to attain the health of the soul. Therefore,his final request of sacrificing a cock to the God of healing primarily showed his gratitude for his own health,which is realized by the God＇s care through his self-care of the soul. In the meantime,it also shows the appreciation for the communal recovery,which is achieved by his persuading others to cure themselves through philosophical discussions. Despite of the vulnerability of the body,the health of the soul should be attained in the philosophical life where the body acts as the training place and materials; the revelation of the vulnerability of the body in Phaedo actually indicates the nature of the human life in a metaphorical way,implying the necessity and possibility of philosophical practices.