Plato and the Purpose of Afterlife Myths

What happens after death has always been a persistent human question. There seems to be an innate human desire to hope for something good or better at the end of life, especially when considering the transition from the... [ view full abstract ]

What happens after death has always been a persistent human question. There seems to be an innate human desire to hope for something good or better at the end of life, especially when considering the transition from the typical Greek pessimism towards the Judeo-Christian worldview that Western thinking founds itself upon.  It is difficult to consider Western ideas about good and evil without turning to Plato, one of the first to deem the soul as immortal and include the notions that the soul can be saved or purified, and that actions in life reflect the judgement of the soul in death. One of the puzzles therein is his inclusion of afterlife myths, namely his True Earth and underworld in the Phaedo and the myth of Er in Republic X. Why would an author construct these elaborate depictions of a world after death while being so quick to dismiss their veracity? Plato has a clear understanding of Greek traditions and earlier conceptions of the afterlife, but modifies them to fit in his own dialogue. Could these be relatable reference points for students or vivid imaginings to draw in a greater audience? How could these constructions illustrate a more mainstream shift towards Judeo-Christian values centuries before Christianity became widespread?