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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 the body is responsible for?

2. According to Socrates, what does the philosopher hate most?

3. When do we lose knowledge, according to Socrates?

4. How does course and moderation see death according to Socrates' argument?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What must man do in order to attain pure knowledge?

2. What does Socrates say opposites contain?

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

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

5. What does Simmias admit about the Just, Beautiful and the Good at the end of 62d-66a?

6. What, according to Socrates, does not come from the body and what does the body cause?

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

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

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

10. What did Socrates tell Cebes about his dream?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the primary themes of "Phaedo" is the idea of a good life. Discuss and define the good life and analyze what is central to the good life. Discuss how the nature of the soul can be discovered through the practice of philosophy. Use examples from the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

The mind-body connection discussed in "Phaedo" was considered revolutionary in his day and was one of the earliest forms of discussion on the subject. Discuss and define dualism and how the body and mind are distinct substance with distinct natures. Use the text to support your analysis of the mind-body connection.

Essay Topic 3

Socrates likens the relationship with the gods as that of a master and slave. The gods are the perfect masters. Discuss the premise of this master slave relationship and conclude why this analogy was chosen.

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