Socrates' opinion of death and the afterlife.

Socrates on Death Now the hour to part has come. I go to die, you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one, except the god. (42a) Fear of the unknown is a phobia inherent to the human psyche; we are often dually terrified and fascinated with that which we cannot explain or understand. Accordingly, death is the ultimate fear; a subject of which cannot be studied …

…thoughts. This mindset has created a people afraid to die, and in consequence, afraid to live. However, I am not sure which is worse, fearing death, or denying its existence and finitude, as many people do today. As one creates a people frightened into obedience, the other produces a people lacking incentive for leading a virtuous life, and moreover, lacking an appreciation for the breadth and scale of the universe beyond the capacities of humanity.