Epilogues and How They Shape Philosophical Thought

​By: C. Schulter

The final works or statements of philosophers often carry a profound weight, serving as both a culmination of their intellectual journey and a reflection of the values they left behind. Each epilogue can offer unique insights on the final thoughts of some of the most influential philosophers that helped shape the trajectory of philosophical thought.  
Socrates’ last words, as recorded by Plato in the Phaedo, “Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius; do not forget to pay debt,” have puzzled scholars for centuries. In his final moments, Socrates shifted the focus from his death sentence to an unexpected gesture of devotion to the God Asclepius. This small and yet deep act signaled his belief in the soul’s immortality and the there is a greater force in the universe that goes beyond men ability to think. Socrate’s death rather than his trial, ultimately becomes his statement on philosophy: the pursuit of virtue and knowledge transcends bodily death. His closing remarks reinforce his belief in reason and the examined life, which became central tenets in Western philosophy. His legacy, shaped by his final words, highlights the tension between individual philosophy and societal structures, continuing to influence debates in ethics, epistemology, and politics. 
Nietzsche’s Ecce Homo, written in the final years of his sanity, is a striking example of how an epilogue can serve as a personal philosophical manifesto. Nietzsche’s last work is a self-reflective account, filled with grandiose claims like “What does not kill me makes me stronger,” that offer insight into his philosophy strength, struggle, and the creation of values. His ideas about the Übermensch, the eternal recurrence, and the “death of God” have echoed across generations, not only in philosophy but also in political theory, existentialism and psychology. In his decline to madness, he was able to underscore the dramatic tension in his thoughts, exposing his deep awareness of life’s transience, paired with a called to transcend it. His final years and last work challenge us to confront nihilism, asking whether life’s meaning is inherent or must be created through individual will.  
Jean-Paul Sartre’s, a leading figure in existentialism and phenomenology, spent much of his life examining freedom, responsibility, and the individual’s role in shaping their existence. In his final days, Sartre became increasingly politically activate, writing about Marxism and the nature of human oppression. His last work, Critique of Dialectical Reason, sought to reconcile existentialism with Marxist theory, reflecting his growing concern with collective freedom. Sartre’s closing years mark a transition from individual existentialism to a broader political philosophy concerned with social change and the fight against injustice. His final statements, both philosophical and political, continue to shape debates on freedom, identity, and societal structures. 
The final works of these philosophers, whether in the form of last written reflections or spoken words, serve as epilogues that encapsulate the essence of their thinking and provide clues to understanding the core of their philosophical legacy.  ​