Why The Myth of Er still matters
What happens when we die?
That's the question which has haunted mankind since the beginning of time, religion, philosophy and even Netflix have yet to prove their theories. Over two thousand years ago Plato closed his republic with a tale, not so much about death, but instead, how we live. The Myth of Er may read like a fantasy with chasms in the sky and soul lotteries, but behind the fantasy is the idea: our lives are chosen, not assigned, and the way we chose to live says everything about who we are.
When Plato ends The Republic, he doesn’t end it with a logical argument or a summary of the ideas he has explored. Instead, he tells us a story. Initially, the Myth of Er seems like an out of place fantasy, a soldier dies, visits the afterlife, and returns to tell us what he saw. But this story isn't meant to be taken literally it's a metaphor, it’s a reflection on everything Socrates and his colleagues have discussed throughout the dialogue, justice, the soul, and how we should live.
Er, a soldier who had been killed in battle, woke up twelve days after his death to describe a strange and symbolic vision. He sees souls being judged and sent on paths either upwards to the heavens or down into the earth. After a thousand years, these souls return, and choose their next life as humans or even animals. Some choose power and wealth without thinking, only to suffer because of their impulsive decisions. Others, shaped by their past suffering, are more cautious and wise in their choices. The whole cycle ends with each soul drinking from the River of Forgetfulness, erasing the memories of their past lives before being reborn.
But beneath the imagery, Plato’s message is clear: we are responsible for the choices we make. The gods aren’t to blame. Fate doesn’t decide everything. We might not choose our circumstances, but we choose how we live in them, and that choice shapes who we become. This myth turns the focus to ourselves. What kind of life would we choose if given the chance? And are we even capable of choosing wisely?
Plato's message still hits hard today. In a world obsessed with self improvement, identity, and control over our lives, the Myth of Er offers both a challenge and a warning. It reminds us that wisdom, soul-shaping wisdom, doesn’t come from easy answers. It comes from experience, from reflection, and from learning how to see clearly beyond surface appearances.
That’s why I’m writing this blog: to explore how this ancient story still resonates in our modern lives. In the next few posts, I’ll dig into the big themes that run through Er’s journey, choice, justice, memory, and the idea of what it means to live a “good life.” In a way, this blog is my own way of choosing a life, or at least choosing how to think more carefully about the one I’m already living.
Stay tuned!