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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. What nationality was Socrates?

2. How should one seeking meaning in life, according to Socrates?

3. What happens when youthful Athenians follow Socrates' philosophical teachings?

4. Where does Apology take place?

5. What is Socrates' second defense against the charge that he is corrupting youth?

Short Essay Questions

1. What flaw does Socrates then find in the reasoning he laid out in previous Question #9?

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

3. What is Socrates' response to the charge that he is impious and/or an atheist?

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

5. What is the nature of Socrates' comparing himself to Achilles? What is Socrates illustrating with this comparison?

6. How does Socrates relate human goodness to the first definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

7. According to Socrates, what reputation does he suffer from in Athens? How is this reputation related to Aristophanes' Clouds?

8. According to Socrates, why didn't he ever pursue politics?

9. What does Socrates believe is the standard of good living to most Athenians? What is his response to this standard?

10. What is Socrates' initial reaction to the first definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Explain the Socratic method. How is the method structured? What is the aim of this method? What logic is it based from? Why is Socrates known for this method?

2) Examine the discussion of piety in Euthyphro. How is the Socratic method used in this instance?

3) Examine the discussion of injustice in Crito. How is the Socratic method used in this instance?

Essay Topic 2

There are varying theories about the logic behind Socrates' sometimes odd behavior at trial.

1) How can Socrates' response to Meletus' charge of atheism be considered an example of his weak or odd behavior at trial?

2) How can Socrates' suggestion as to his own punishment be considered an example of his weak or odd behavior at trial?

3) What are three possible theories for why Socrates offered a less than stellar defense in his trial?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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