Philosphical Perspectives

Briefly describe Socrates’s method of inquiry in the Euthyphro. Describe three important characteristics it has and briefly explain their significance.

Claim: Socrates’ method is questioning those who claim expertise to expose contradictions and refine beliefs.

Evidence: He asks Euthyphro to define piety, then shows flaws in each answer through logical questioning.

Three important characteristics:

(1) He asks for definitions rather than examples.

(2) He reveals contradictions in Euthyphro’s claims.

(3) He guides Euthyphro toward critical reflection rather than giving his own answer.

These show that knowledge begins by recognizing ignorance, not by asserting certainty.

Socrates sometimes disavows knowledge but in the Apology he also claims that he’s the wisest person alive. These two seem to contradict one another—do they? Why or why not?

Claim: They don’t contradict; Socrates’ wisdom comes from knowing that he doesn’t know everything but is willing to pursue different thought processes and topics.

Evidence: The Oracle calls him the wisest man, and as he trusts the Oracle, he starts questioning other “wise” figures and finds them falsely confident in their knowledge.

Reasoning: His self-awareness shows true wisdom lies in intellectual humility—knowing one’s limits is better than false certainty.

His “wisdom” is self-awareness — realizing one’s limits is true knowledge.

It’s not a contradiction; his “knowledge” is knowing that he lacks knowledge.

What is the examined life? Give a brief account in your own words, then describe a moment from a Platonic dialogue we read where Socrates seems to be performing or exemplifying the “examined life.” Try to be specific and say why this example illustrates the ideal of the examined life.

1. Claim:The examined life, is a life which requires self reflection, moral questioning, and pursuit of excellence

2. For Socrates that means never accepting beliefs blindly but instead testing them through reasoning and dialogue. 

3. He shows this through his commitment to truth over popularity and comfort. 

4. Evidence:When the jury urges him to stop questioning people in exchange for freedom, Socrates refuses.
   Reason:He’s willing to die rather than abandon his philosophical mission.
   This proves that living thoughtfully and justly is more important to him than survival itself.

5. He refuses to stop philosophizing, even when he has death threats. 

6. instead of pleading for pity, Socrates uses the occasion to challenge Athens to live more thoughtfully.

1. To what extent is the examined life good for the individual who lives it? Try to persuade your reader that your answer is correct. 

1. Claim: The examined life is good because it connects the soul with truth and virtue, leads to integrity, moral clarity, and peace of mind.

2. Evidence:

   1. Moral clarity: examining one’s life helps the person distinguish right from wrong

      1. It allows you to live “right”, allowing you to choose good because you have thought about what “good” actually is. 

   2. Inner freedom:The examined life lets people not be ignorant and blindly follow, they have thoughts of their own allowing them to live authentically. 

      1. You free yourself from guilt and hypocrisy. The examined life is good because it creates harmony with the soul. 

3. Keeps people from living in fear 

1. To what extent is the examined life good for society as a whole?  Try to persuade your reader that your answer is correct.

1. It promotes good behavior in society and accountability:Citizens' thinking causes them to question unjust actions and corrupt leadership. 

2. Improve government because self aware individuals make better decisions and prevent moral decay in political life. 

3. Encourage progress in society: examining your life causes you to question assumptions and push society toward wisdom and betterment.