View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Socrates display his piety?

2. Why are many scientists accused of atheism, according to Socrates?

3. Which is the second of three Socratic dialogues written by Plato?

4. What is the "good life" as defined by Athens law, according to Plato's Apology?

5. What topic does Socrates discuss to dismantle Euthyphro's initial definition of piety?

Short Essay Questions

1. What special connection to divinity does each character in Euthyphro claim to possess?

2. What does Socrates believe is the standard of good living to most Athenians? What is his response to this standard?

3. How does Euthyphro respond to Socrates' counter of his second definition of piety? What is the result of the conversation?

4. What is the nature of the legal troubles the characters in Euthyphro are involved in?

5. According to Socrates, can wise men access objective truth? If so, how should they go about this?

6. What is the nature of Socrates' comparing himself to Achilles? What is Socrates illustrating with this comparison?

7. What flaw does Socrates then find in the reasoning he laid out in previous Question #9?

8. How does Socrates relate two aspects of his way of life to a defense of the charges against him?

9. How does Socrates use the concept of love to refute the initial definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

10. What five parts can the Apology be said to be divided into?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the dialogue Crito, Crito and Socrates have a disagreement.

1) What is the nature of the disagreement between Crito and Socrates? How does Crito believe Socrates behaved in the trial?

2) What is Socrates response to Crito? Why does he refuse to go along with Crito's plan to escape from jail?

3) Discuss the emotional implications of Socrates' response to Crito. Is Socrates full of despair and resigned to death? Is he upbeat and looking forward to death?

Essay Topic 2

Do a comparative analysis of Apology and Crito.

1) Can the character of Socrates be said to be different between the two dialogues? Why or why not?

2) How is Socrates' conception of the law and justice different between the two dialogues?

3) Compare how Socrates believes one should live one's life in Apology, versus how Socrates believes one should live one's life in Crito.

Essay Topic 3

Piety is an important topic in the dialogues of Plato.

1) What stance does Socrates take in regards to piety in Euthyphro? What definition of piety does he offer, and how does he refute Euthyphro's definition?

2) How does Socrates compare his spiritual beliefs to the beliefs of the citizens of Athens?

3) Why does Socrates believe he is a pious man? Why is he charged for being impious?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,023 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample