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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 is weaker than the lyre according to Socrates?

2. What question does Cebes ask Socrates concerning the soul's long existence?

3. What does Simmias think of knowledge about the next life?

4. What groups can no one join if they have not practiced philosophy and do not leave this life pure?

5. What does Socrates think earth balanced in the middle of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Socrates disappointed by Anaxagoras?

2. Why does Socrates worry that he might hurt his senses?

3. What does Socrates say about caring for the soul?

4. What does Socrates say about harmony at the end of 81b-88b?

5. According to Socrates in 88c-95a, what is there no greater evil than and why does he believe this?

6. What do Phaedo and Echecrates want more of?

7. What does Socrates say of the Forms and the particular?

8. What should the philosopher master?

9. Who directs the body according to Socrates?

10. At the end of 81b-88b, what does Socrates say the soul cannot be damaged by?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

"Phaedo" acts as a posthumous narration taking place between Phaedo and Socrates. Why would Plato employ this type of narration of events? What effect does this have on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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