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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. Approximately how many people were present at Socrates' execution?

2. Who temporarily won the debate in Book 5, Chapter 2?

3. Who was the young woman at Socrates' execution?

4. Who is the intended audience for the Phaedo?

5. According to Tarrant, what parts of a person did the Greeks believe persisted through death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What new habit do Socrates' friends discover in the "Phaedo"?

2. What do Socrates' friends say about suicide, and the preservation of life, in the "Phaedo"?

3. What does Crito want Socrates to do?

4. How does Crito attempt to persuade Socrates?

5. What is the "transmigration of souls"?

6. What belief do Socrates' friends discuss in the "Phaedo" that was taught in formal philosophical education, but was not culturally popular?

7. What was the Pythagorean school of thought?

8. What were the ancient Greeks' beliefs regarding the afterlife?

9. What does Socrates think will happen after his death?

10. What is the setting of the Phaedo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates spent a lot of time with his friends, but very little with his family, even on the day of his execution. Why do you think this was so? How much did Socrates have to talk about with his friends, versus with his family? Do you think it was right for him to spend so little time with them? Is it understandable/excusable? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Meletus? Why did he choose to prosecute Socrates? What evidence did his use as a basis for his prosecution? Why did he seek the death penalty for Socrates? Was he acting on behalf of the Athenian government? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the dialogues have to do with the concept of epistemology. What is epistemology? What does it have to do with philosophy? Why is it important? Why did Socrates concern himself with it? Are they ever able to reach a definitive conclusion? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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