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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. Which of the following ideas are not mentioned in Book VI?

2. Where does Crito take place?

3. According to Socrates, how should a good philosopher rule?

4. Meletus claims that Socrates said which of the following?

5. One theme that is present in Book X, and in other dialogues is______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is democracy dangerous, according to Socrates?

2. Why does Socrates think philosophers make the best rulers?

3. What, does Socrates think, is the best form of government?

4. Describe Socrates view of death and its role for the philosopher.

5. What is the point of Socrates' discussion of evil and injustice after death?

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

7. How does Socrates defend against Meletus' chargers of impiety?

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

9. Why does Socrates think the Sophists are evil?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Design your own Platonic dialogue centered around characters that already exist in the works. You may choose from any number of topics including justice, love, mortality/death, friendship, anger, truth, or a concept of your own devising. Make sure to use Socratic techniques such as aporia, cross-examination, and clarification of term in your dialogue.

Essay Topic 2

In the first book of The Republic, Socrates seems more confused about justice and what it actually means, but by Apology it seems that Socrates has a clearly picture of justice. Compare/contrast these two viewpoints. What has changed in Socrates' mind? What does this say about Plato's philosophy?

Essay Topic 3

The Republic discusses many grandiose themes such as knowledge, friendship, kinship, love, justice, economics, government, and religion at length. Choose a topic, along the same lines, that Plato missed in his dialogues. See if you can argue, based on text you've already read, how Plato or Socrates would weigh in on the issue. You may use current political debates (health care, euthanasia, abortion) as your topic if you desire. You do not need to to this, however.

(see the answer keys)

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