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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. Who does the philosopher want to be with according to Socrates?

2. According to the account of his death, how did Socrates lived his life?

3. What does Socrates say must the soul use to see clearly?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Socrates wonder about in regards to knowledge?

4. What does Socrates say about the gods at the end of 57a-62c?

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

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

7. When Socrates was on trial, what happened to his wife?

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

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

10. What does Cebes ask about committing suicide and what does Socrates admit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting used in the Socratic dialogues presented in Plato's "Phaedo". How does setting affect the means of argument? The content? Why is the setting important?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the two key aspects of Plato's ethical doctrine regarding the theory of recollection or the assertion that learning is essentially an act of recollecting things. Analyze the theory of recollection and perception in detail, discussing different arguments made in "Phaedo". Support your statements by using examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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