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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. In Book X, Socrates returns to a discussion about _________.

2. What is Crito's relationship to Socrates?

3. In Book IX, how does Socrates describe a tyrant?

4. According to Socrates in Book VII, how many years must a philosopher work after finishing his education in order to become a ruler?

5. How does Socrates regard an oligarchy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Socrates think that aspiring philosophers should be instructed in dialectic only at the end of their educations?

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

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

4. Which trumps the other, according to Socrates, the laws of Athens or the gods?

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

6. How does Socrates argue that it is unlawful to break out of prison?

7. Why does Socrates think the Sophists are evil?

8. What happens to the soul after it is dead, according to Socrates?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of the "philosopher king" in The Republic? Do you agree or disagree with Plato's vision of a land ruled by philosophers instead of by politicians? Be sure to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 1,267 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample