The so-called “myth of Er” has long intrigued readers of Plato. Socrates, whose teachings and conversations Plato recounts, tells the story of Er, who traveled to the afterlife and returned to life to tell his story. The tale is not found in any source other than Plato and is obviously fictional. Earlier in The Republic, Socrates opposes telling false stories (377d) and even forbids any falsely imitative writing of his imaginary republic (595a). Additionally, the philosophical system he presents is based entirely on reason, as demonstrated by his method of using deductive questioning to teach his students. Why, then, did Plato choose this clearly fantastic and seemingly trivial tale to conclude his seminal work? By examining the mythic nature of the tale and its purpose in The Republic, the true meaning of the story of Er becomes clear, showing that this tale is the culmination of Plato's work. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get an original essay The very title “myth of Er” is a serious misnomer. The text of La République never refers to the story as a myth, but rather as a “story” or a “tale”. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a myth is “a traditional story concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, usually involving the supernatural.” The mythology of Greek and Roman gods, for example, has profoundly influenced every aspect of cultural life, from individual morality to public observances and institutions. Myths are inherently spiritual in nature; As seen in the religious practices of ancient Greece and Rome, myths often form the foundation of entire religious systems. Myths are considered true, at least in part, by large segments of their listeners. Another definition of myth is "a generally traditional story of apparently historical events that serves to reveal part of a people's worldview or to explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Clear examples of this type of myth exist in ancient mythologies, such as the tale of Demeter and Persephone which explained the changing of the seasons and gave rise to the powerful cult of the Eleusinian Mysteries. At the very least, myths serve to shape personal beliefs by explaining the world. In this sense, myths bring hope to their believers by offering an accessible understanding of natural phenomena. Often in the realm of anagogy, myths offer spiritual exaltation through trust in the supernatural. A myth, then, is a story that presents supernatural explanations for events, shaping a people's worldview; which offers an apparently true method for understanding the world; and this generally has a major impact on cultural life. The so-called "myth of Er" is actually not a myth at all. It explains neither the history of a people nor a demonstrable phenomenon, presenting the ideas of a person rather than the beliefs of a culture. No long tradition supports his claims. It has no obvious spiritual significance and suggests neither religious fervor nor a sufficient explanation of natural phenomena. It gives rise to no cultural practices or observances and offers no sense of hope for the benefit of a people. Clearly originating from Plato himself, it is unlikely that any of his listeners fully believed his story. It certainly contains supernatural elements and offers a way of understanding the world, but its.