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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. Socrates' main goal is to do what in court?

2. What did those people want to know?

3. Socrates believed that individuals should strive to preserve and support what entity?

4. The first setting of this dialogue is where?

5. How does Socrates view his philosophy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the young man learn on the trip? Why would people believe the information?

2. What is Euthyphro's reaction upon hearing the charges against Socrates? How does Euthyphro attempt to reassures him?

3. What is the verdict in the case? What is Socrates' response?

4. What does Socrates see as being one of the consequences of his quest?

5. What types of things might irony lead to in this case?

6. Why did Socrates stand before the court alone?

7. Who wrote the Four Dialogues and during what time period do they take place?

8. Did Socrates only speak to the youth of Athens? If not, who else attended him?

9. What is Socrates' opinion on defending himself with anything but his own merits?

10. How does Euthyphro reply to Socrates' question regarding the definition of piety?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the trial, Socrates makes an apology to the court. Why did Socrates apologize? Was it necessary? What was Socrates' view on addressing the court? What did the philosopher think about appealing to the court for mercy? What was Socrates' main goal during the trial? Was the goal accomplished? How might Socrates have acted differently? What could Socrates have done to gain acquittal or a less harsh sentence?

Essay Topic 2

In Dialogue 4, Part 1, Socrates explains the difference between death and suicide. What is Socrates' view on each? Why are they different? Which is better? Does the form of death affect how one's soul reacts to the death? How does it affect the soul's progression into the afterlife? What is Socrates' view on suicide as being a form of evil? If Socrates believed that suicide was evil, why did he kill himself?

Essay Topic 3

There is a great deal of discussion about the soul. What is the main theme regarding the soul as it relates to morality? What proof is there that the soul exists? How does Socrates explain the soul? How is it possible that the soul can be incorruptible if the body is not beyond being corrupted? How can one stay pure while the other does not? What might cause the separation of the soul from the physical body? Can a soul be destroyed?

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