Diagnosis and Inconsistency in the Axiochus

Abstract The Socrates of the dialogue Axiochus seems to advance incompatible arguments in his attempt cure fear death. Is this incompatibility a foreseen and accepted consequence author’s therapeutic strategy? This paper argues that it is rather an intended functional inconsistency: serves stimulate critical thinking order anchor philosophical conviction more deeply reader’s soul. musters support for reading by drawing attention different levels inconsistency dialogue; multiple ways which text thematizes inconsistency; importance exercising judgement text; motivating concern superficial persuasion.