Plato Study Guide: Socrates and the Sophists

Socrates

Athenian philosopher born 470 BC, died 399 BC at the age of 70.

Sophists

Rhetoric-focused group, believed in no objective truth who were agnostic.

Socratic irony

Feigning ignorance to expose flaws in arguments.

Early dialogues

Plato's works focusing on core abstract concepts asking "ti esti" (what is) questions.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict between Athens and Sparta; Athens lost. The Spartan general was Lysander.

Periclean democracy

Athenian democracy emphasizing the rights of property owning men.

Thirty

Spartan-imposed tyrannical oligarchy after the Peloponnesian War.

King Archon

Office overseeing religious matters in Athens.

Euthyphro

Prophet prosecuting his father for impiety.

Charges against Socrates

Corrupting youth and impiety.

Meletus

Socrates' main accuser, represents the poets.

Definitions of piety

Five definitions proposed by Euthyphro, all flawed.

Euthyphro dialogue ending

Euthyphro flees, frustrated by Socrates' arguments.

Socrates' greatest fear

Critics from the dead, especially Aristophanes.

Socrates vs. Sophists

Does not teach for money or claim knowledge.

Oracle of Delphi

Represents Apollo, tells Socrates he is wisest.

Chaerephon's question

Asks if anyone is wiser than Socrates.

Corruption defense

Socrates argues he unintentionally corrupts youth.

Impiety defense

Socrates claims he believes in gods, not atheism.

Gadfly analogy

Socrates compares himself to a gadfly for Athens.

Verdict suggestions

Socrates suggests money, death, or Prytaneum.

Ultimate sentence

Socrates executed by hemlock.

Fear of death

Arrogance to fear the unknown; death is uncertain.

Dog of Egypt

Anubis, associated with the afterlife.