The article examines the concluding myth in Plato’s dialogue Gorgias– that is to say, Socrates’ final speech on the punishment of unjust souls in the afterlife, which has long puzzled interpreters of the dialogue. Drawing on the narratological theory of focalization, I interpret Socrates’ final speech through different focalizing perspectives. As possible recipients of the myth, I consider all characters in the dialogue (Callicles, Gorgias, Polos), the audience witnessing the conversation, and the reader of the dialogue. I argue that Socrates’ myth is most convincing for the audience, who are often overlooked by interpreters of the text. From the reader’s perspective, however, this understanding of the myth opens the possibility for a different interpretation of the dialogue. As I propose, Plato conveys to his readers that the decision to lead an ethical life cannot be justified through reason alone but is a matter of choice. In the conclusion, I connect this interpretation with Pierre Hadot’s work and his understanding of philosophy as a way of life.

Rights