107c - 115e Summary and Analysis

If the soul is immortal, Socrates argues, we must care for it not only for this life, but for all time. Death does not escape everything, for it would otherwise benefit the wicked. The soul has nothing but education and upbringing when it leaves the body. Socrates reminds his friends that the guardian spirit of each man, when he dies, guides him to his next station. However, they must first be judged. Then they are led back to earth by another guide. Socrates supposes that there are many paths to Hades and back.

Well-ordered souls follow the guide and are somewhat familiar with his attachments, but the soul attached to the body hovers around the visible world and struggles. Some souls wander alone but the good soul with a pure life finds travelers and gods to aid...