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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Socrates compare death to sleep?

2. What is the subject of Plato's Apology?

3. What does Socrates believe is the central question of life?

4. What is the "good life" as defined by Athens law, according to Plato's Apology?

5. According to Socrates, why would political life be dangerous for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Socrates' account of his encounter with the oracle at Delphi and how it relates to his status as a wise man.

2. What is Socrates' second response to the charge that he has corrupted Athens' youth?

3. What does Socrates believe to be the central question of life, as revealed in Apology? How should one pursue or answer this question?

4. According to Socrates, can wise men access objective truth? If so, how should they go about this?

5. What final definition of piety is arrived at by the end of Euthyphro?

6. What distinction does Socrates make between his own speaking style, and that of his accusers?

7. Why doesn't Socrates wish to be pitied? How does this relate to the fact that he did not bring his family to court with him?

8. Why is Socrates charged with corrupting the youth? Why do the youth follow his philosophy and ideas?

9. How does Euthyphro respond to Socrates' counter of his second definition of piety? What is the result of the conversation?

10. What is the general attitude held by the citizens of Athens toward the characters of Euthyphro?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates provides his way of life as evidence of his innocence in the trial of Apology.

1) What is Socrates' "way of life"? How does his way of life relate to the "central question" of life, as he sees it?

2) Why does Socrates compare himself to Achilles, with respect to his way of life?

3) Why does Socrates compare himself to an inhuman pest, with respect to his way of life?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Plato's use of Socrates in many of his writings.

1) What does Socrates' frequent appearances in Plato's writing say about Plato's regard for Socrates?

2) How does Plato use Socrates to reveal his own ideas and philosophy?

3) Why might Socrates be appropriate for Plato's dialogue form? How does Plato use Socrates' Socratic method to arrive at philosophical truths?

Essay Topic 3

The characterization of Socrates is quite different in Plato's dialogues versus Aristophanes' The Clouds. Explain the nature of this difference, using specific examples from each text. This could include personality as well as philosophical beliefs.

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