For most people, smoking has become a necessity that is even equated with the need to eat and drink. The need for cigarettes has become a very central need. They are called heavy smokers. Some even say that cigarettes have become their second "wife". Of course there are many factors that we must see in discussing this problem. But in this discussion, we will see how the need for smoking is viewed in terms of philosophy.
The theme "Cogito" this time, cigarettes and freedom, made me want to take a counter position to the big theme. My argument is that by smoking, humans are not free. In this discussion I will divide it into three parts. First, we will see how Plato's teachings about body and soul. Second, analysis by referring to Plato's theory of body and soul with its relation to human needs will smoke. The last part is a conclusion, that smoking is the body's need to imprison the human soul.
Plato's Theory of the Human Body and Soul
Plato, the greatest philosopher in the history of Ancient Greek philosophy, looked at aspects of human dualism, namely that humans consist of two different nature, body and soul. The body has a fragile, volatile, and non-permanent nature. Whereas the soul is something that is visible, permanent and eternal. The soul always has the desire to reach wisdom and wisdom.
For Plato, the body is a grave for the soul. In the sense that the soul already exists in a place full of wisdom before birth. At one time the soul incarnates and enters the body. A body that has a fragile, non-permanent, and always changing character becomes a barrier for the soul to attain wisdom and wisdom. The body will "confuse" humans in their search for truth. According to Plato philosophizing relates only to the human mind or soul.
Plato Adds that the soul is most beautiful, when none of the physical things, such as hearing, sight, grief or pleasure, prevent him from reaching the truth. By leaving his body man will be able to discover the nature of everything. The body has the nature of directing someone to seek pleasure, such as eating and drinking. Humans who are too affected by the body will become body worshipers. This is what really becomes an obstacle for the soul to be able to reason to achieve wisdom and wisdom.
