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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 does Socrates say often yields faulty conclusions?

2. What does Socrates argue about our knowledge of Greater, smaller, Beautiful, Good, Justice and Pious?

3. What does Simmias think of Cebes arguments about the man that answers correctly?

4. What are course and moderation part of according to Socrates?

5. Who does Socrates tell Cebes to relate his final writing to?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of 62d-66a, what does Socrates maintain about the philosopher?

2. What do Cebes and Simmias claim about the wise?

3. What might the soul be unable to do, according to the end of 73a-81a?

4. On the day Socrates was to die, who did Socrates stand before and why?

5. Based on the beginning of 73a-81, what does Socrates teach about recollection?

6. What does Echecrates ask Phaedo at the beginning of "Phaedo"?

7. What does Socrates claim are not the great goods of life?

8. Why was Socrates held in jail before his execution?

9. What does Socrates say should be the one goal of the philosopher?

10. What belief of Simmias' does Socrates question?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the most important philosophical aspects of "Phaedo" is the theory of forms. In an essay, discuss the theory of forms, such as justice and beauty . Discuss the significance of the examples given by Socrates in "Phaedo" and determine whether they accurately support the argument. Use the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

In "Phaedo", women have an ambivalent role in the text and are forced to leave the room when Socrates drinks the poison. Discuss the position of women in the text and in ancient times, and use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the analogy used in "Phaedo" for thinking that the soul is like the attunement of a musical instrument. Discuss whether the arguments are convincing and what conclusions can be drawn from this analogy. Students may use the text and secondary sources to support the discussion.

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