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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What must the philosopher, according to Socrates in Book VI, employ in order to attain knowledge of "absolute good"?
(a) Public opinion of theoretical subjects.
(b) Hypotheses about what is good in the world.
(c) Guessing and hoping he gets lucky.
(d) Judgment against "absolute evil."

2. Socrates thinks that poets and painters are_____________.
(a) Imitators, only representing the things they try and capture.
(b) Useless and idle.
(c) Categorically intelligent.
(d) Like gods, establishing reality through art.

3. Which one of the following scenarios, according to Socrates, would most likely give rise to a tyrannical government?
(a) A military lieutenant from within the general's ranks making a grab for power to control the timocracy.
(b) A man, claiming to save the poor from the rich in a democracy, rising to power and being immediately corrupted by it.
(c) A merchant purchasing secret information about the government and using it to blackmail congress.
(d) A hero completing a mythical quest which bestows immortality upon him.

4. What does Socrates think his dream means?
(a) Socrates will go to heaven after he dies.
(b) The boat which was supposed to arrive the same day, would not arrive until tomorrow, thereby delaying his execution.
(c) A foreshadowed vision of Crito coming to visit him.
(d) The kingdom of man is not so different from the animal kingdom.

5. Socrates argues that the philosopher __________.
(a) Does not take kindly to dissent.
(b) Is idle only in body, but not in mind.
(c) Is quick-witted and knows how to get what he wants.
(d) Takes pleasure in knowledge, has a good memory, and is a virtuous person.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Apology, Socrates defends himself specifically from accusations made by___________.

2. In Socrates' cross-examination of Meletus, how does he make Meletus contradict himself?

3. Who said, "the unexamined life is not worth living"?

4. What challenges does Cebes raise for Socrates?

5. Socrates metaphorically refers to himself as __________,

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Socrates think it acceptable for the state to make philosophers rule if they are unwilling?

2. Why does Socrates say in Book VII that "philosophers don't want to rule"?

3. Why can't the common man see the world like the philosopher, according to Socrates?

4. What should be done about the poets, according to Socrates in Book X?

5. How can tyranny arise in a democratic state?

6. What are the five tell-tale traits of an aspiring philosopher, according to Socrates?

7. If one cannot live like a philosopher, what does Socrates think he should do?

8. How is the entire Apology an example of Socratic wisdom in practice?

9. Why are poets dangerous, according to Socrates?

10. Describe Crito's and Socrates' relationship. Why is this important to the dialogue?

(see the answer keys)

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