Economy of words

One story in particular really stood out for me from this weeks readings, "The Myth of Er".  I found the opening statement both amusing and thoughtful. This story was certainly not "like Odysseus' tale to Alconous," but despite this fact I think he managed to say a lot.


I found the idea that souls would spend one thousand years in the afterlife being punished, or rewarded as the case may be, 10 times over for their deeds which they had done in life. The punishment/reward would be meted out over  ten life times, once every hindered years. Thus, if one was only a little bad, they would only be punished a little. There's more middle ground between "heaven" and "hell". I like that idea, it's not just black and white.

We see that the souls who spent the last one thousand years at ease react by not taking proper care in choosing their new life. Having spent on thousand years peacefully, and presumably luxuriously they are eager to begin anew and pick a life of fame or great rewards only to belatedly realize they have doomed themselves in the end. Those who have just been punished for one thousand years are far more cautious, picking the lives which will guarantee them 1000 years of luxury. In this way, it seems as if their lives have been chosen by them, not as it is happening, but before it begins.I found it interesting that Odysseus made a cameo appearance in this text, choosing a life of "quiet obscurity."

Can you find Odysseus?

"The Myth of Er" would serve many purposes. It would give people a road map for making decision, as well as a reason to make the ones which would be socially acceptable and explain what happens when you die all at once.  I think Auerbach would approve.