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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. Euthyphro's definition of piety depends upon what body of stories?

2. What is the profession of Socrates?

3. What is Socrates' stance on political activity?

4. How does the jury get to decide the sentence for Socrates?

5. According to Socrates in Euthyphro, why don't wise men need to consult with the gods?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Socrates' initial reaction to the first definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

2. What is Socrates' response to the charge that he is impious and/or an atheist?

3. Why doesn't Socrates wish to be pitied? How does this relate to the fact that he did not bring his family to court with him?

4. What does Socrates believe to be the central question of life, as revealed in Apology? How should one pursue or answer this question?

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

6. What final definition of piety is arrived at by the end of Euthyphro?

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

8. Is Socrates innocent or guilty of the charges against him, in the eyes of Athens and its legal system?

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

10. What distinction does Socrates make between his own speaking style, and that of his accusers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates offers a series of defenses in the Apology to answer the charges against him.

1) How does Socrates answer the charge that he has corrupted the youth of Athens?

2) How does Socrates use his political ambition (or lack thereof) in his trial defense?

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

1) What is Socrates' view on wisdom? What is the nature of knowledge? Is there such a thing as objective truth?

2) To what degree can a man attain knowledge? How should a wise man behave? What can one do to seek knowledge?

3) How does Socrates'relate a visit to the oracle at Delphi to his overall perspective on knowledge?

(see the answer keys)

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