In the phrase "to do so", what does "so" mean?

Question

In the phrase "to do so", what does "so" mean?

Answer 1

IF it was something like:

"You need to get a good grade on the final."

"To do so, you must study the notes."

Then the 'so', in my opinion, would be "That". I guess it kind of refers to the statement before.

Answer 2

"To do so" implies something preceded it but, in general, "so" is the object or action to be performed.

"John's insisted he accept the medical school offer and he proceeded to do so."

"So" represents John's action to "accept the medical school offer...".

In another construction, again with a prior referent, it refers to a prior action and what will follow.

"John considered disobeying his father's instructions.  However, to do so could have grave and far-reaching consequences."

Note that in the second sentence so refers to "obeying his father's instructions" and establishes that if a course of action were done ("to do so) something would follow.

Hope this helps!