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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 happens according to Socrates when one examine things by the body?

2. Who recounts Socrates' death at the start of "Phaedo"?

3. What did Socrates decide he should write before his death?

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

5. Why should Socrates resent dying according to Cebes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Socrates state about the fusion of body and soul at the beginning of 66b-72e?

2. What should those who love learning do and why?

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

4. What belief of Simmias' does Socrates question?

5. What does Socrates believe about freedom and what does this mean for the philosopher

6. What does Socrates argue about two sticks or two stones?

7. What does Socrates say to defend death?

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

9. How do things exist and what does this explain about the two parts of the body?

10. Who was present when Socrates died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anaxagoras and his theories are discussed in "Phaedo". Explain the difference between material and theleogical explanations and the application of each. Discuss why Anxagoras' theories may be considered valuable or invaluable. Use the text and secondary sources to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 697 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample