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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. According to Socrates' view of justice, a ruler should always:

2. Who gives the first speech at the symposium?

3. Why does Glaucon continue conversing with Socrates?

4. According to Socrates, what are the three parts of the soul?

5. At whose house does the Symposium take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Meno's definition of virtue unsatisfactory for Socrates?

2. Why does Socrates want to censor literature in his republic?

3. How is Meno an example of indirect teaching? How does Plato corroborate his own theory of learning as recollection?

4. What is justice, according to Socrates?

5. Does Thrasymachus like Socrates? Why or why not?

6. How does Socrates use metaphors to explain Ion's inspiration? How does this relate to the practice of art or philosophy?

7. Where, according to Socrates, does virtue reside? How does virtue relate to the dichotomy of opinion and knowledge?

8. How is the story of the Symposium framed? How does this relate to the cultural values of the Greeks?

9. What is the crucial difference, according to Socrates, between the common man and the philosopher?

10. What does Glaucon argue for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates is the focal character in most of Plato's work, and. as a result , it is often difficult for one to tell the two apart. Find a section in one of the dialogues where you think Plato might disagree with Socrates' main point and explain why. Use evidence not only from Socrates' words but the words that other characters use to challenge Socrates.

Essay Topic 2

According to Socrates in Book IV of The Republic, justice is a proper organization of the faculties of the soul such that each part is fulfilling its own proper role and not usurping the functions of others. Do you agree or disagree with this definition? Do you think Socrates equivocates this definition in other dialogues? Give examples either modern or ancient where you can test Socrates view of justice.

Essay Topic 3

Is the city that Socrates builds in the The Republic actually feasible? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to justify your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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