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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 did Socrates and his partner realize, via their debate with their friends, about the nature of truth?

2. Which is the longest of the four dialogues?

3. Who lost control of his emotions at Socrates' execution?

4. Why did Socrates insist on going through with his sentence?

5. According to the introduction to the Phaedo, what are the most likely causes of suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the philosophical subject of Book 4?

2. What is "Idealism" in philosophy?

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

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

5. What is the "transmigration of souls"?

6. How does Crito attempt to persuade Socrates?

7. What evidence led Plato and the Pythagoreans to the theory of an eternal soul?

8. What does Crito want Socrates to do?

9. What was the Pythagorean school of thought?

10. What realization does Socrates have as a result of his and Phaedo's debate with Simmias and Cebes?

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

Discuss the various theories presented regarding the topic of justice. What is it? How is it achieved? How does one tell what is just? What are the necessary conditions for one to be able to do what is just? Do you agree that Socrates did what was just when he accepted his punishment? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Socrates denies the accusation that he tries to teach; he claims that he is only an ignorant man who is inquisitive in an effort to gain knowledge. How sincere do you think his profession of ignorance is? Do you think he really believes it? Or is it simply an effort to circumvent the pride of learned men and get them to talk to him, even though he is challenging their beliefs? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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