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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 is Phaedo?

2. What metaphor does Tarrant use to describe the different mentalities in the Phaedo?

3. What is the term for realizing that one's expectations are too high?

4. Why did Crito come to visit Socrates?

5. Was Plato present at Socrates' execution?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Crito attempt to persuade Socrates?

2. What is "Idealism" in philosophy?

3. What is the setting of the Phaedo?

4. What does Socrates say about misanthropy and "mislogic"?

5. What is said, in Book 4, about Socrates' dream?

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

7. What is written in Book 5, Chapter 1, about risking the loss of one's life?

8. Who is present at Socrates' execution?

9. What is the setting of Book 4?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates is still considered wise, more than 2000 years after his death. Why has he been nearly immortalized in the annals of history? Why is he considered so wise? Did his contemporaries feel the same way about him that modern philosophers do? 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

Socrates refuses to leave Athens and escape his punishment because he felt that it was just to stay. Do you agree? Would it have been better for Socrates to have fled Athens? Why or why not? What do you think you would do in this situation? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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