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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 was the reason for what happened to Socrates after his trial?

2. What did the Pythagoreans conclude about the nature of matter?

3. What theory did the Pythagoreans have about the human soul?

4. What did Socrates expect when he passed into the Underworld, according to his dialogue with Crito?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is present at Socrates' execution?

2. What is the setting of the Phaedo?

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

4. What is the "transmigration of souls"?

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

6. What conclusion do Socrates and Crito reach regarding the laws of the land?

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

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

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

10. How does Crito attempt to persuade Socrates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Truth is an important concept in "The Last Days of Socrates." According to the theories presented in the text, what is truth? How does one find truth? Is it possible to know truth, with certainty, when one finds it? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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