PHI 210 midterm; Anderson University Dr. Shaw

what does Socrates human wisdom consist of the apology

in him knowing that he doesn't know things

to fear death is to...

to believe what one doesn't know: that death is a bad thing

it is better to guide ones life by...

what one knows

true harm comes from

damaging ones own soul

the unexamined life is...

not worth living and is not fully human

what does socrates view himself as ?

the "gadfly" of athens

socrates commanded himself to stay at the post of examining himself and others for the sake of what?

pointing toward virtue and a healthy, beautiful soul

what is the socratic method for seeking the definition of courage ?

seeking definition through Q&A and induction

what is the definition of courage seeking for?

a common element

what does laches theory say that courage is?

wise endurance

can you have wise endurance without courage?

yes

is wise endurance sufficient for courage?

no

what are some examples of endurance without courage?

savvy investor, trained physician, and fighting with a known advantage

what are some examples of having courage without wise endurance?

fighting with a known disadvantage

does Socrates believe that laches theory of wise endurance is courage is correct?

no

what is Nicias theory of courage?

it is the knowledge of the grounds of hope (confidence) and fear

nicias believed that a courageous person understands what?

what is most to be feared in any situation

nicias theory of courage is proved wrong because...

animals and children cannot act courageously because courage involves forethought and understanding, there is a difference between courage and rashness/foolishness

what needs to be braved in fighting pleasure?

suffering of foregoing what you desperately want

is is better to have the fear of of damage to your soul than the fear of...

having to cope with frustrated desire

In phaedo, Socrates thinks that "true lovers of wisdom" have nothing to fear from what?

death ; they even welcome death

Metaphysical Dualism

body vs soul/ visible reality vs invisible reality

what does visible reality consist of ?

particulars (beautiful things, particular human beings), composite, changing (mortal), known through sense perception

what does invisible reality consist of?

universals (the beautiful itself, human nature itself), not composite, unchanging (divine), known through reason

the true philosopher is "blank" in the face of death

"good cheer"

death is simply what?

the separation of soul and body, which is what the philosophical life is all about

in phaedo, what does the philosopher , above all, want to know?

the truth, to grasp what is most real, the divine world of the Forms

when the philosopher is seeking to know truth and the world forms, he is actively seeking what else?

the be rid of the body

what distracts philosophers when they're seeking to be rid of the body?

the desires/pains/pleasure of the body

sense perception deceives us of what?

of what is most real

justice consists of both what?

intrinsic good and extrinsic good

justice is among what?

the finest goods

describe intrinsic good

it is valued for its own sake, not for the sake of some good outside of it

examples include pleasures/satisfactions and peace of mind

describe extrinsic good

it is valued not for its own sake, but for the sake of some good outside of it

examples include medical treatment, money, and most artifacts

what argument does antithesis make about justice?

it has so intrinsic value, only extrinsic value; "i am going to speak at length in praise of the unjust life"

believes we value life for the sake of rewards and that justice originates as a form of compromise

does antithesis believes that justice is practiced willingly or out of necessity?

out of necessity

describe the ring of gyges

it's a ring that causes someone to be invisible and get away with things. "the desire to outdo others and get more and more" is "what anyone's nature naturally pursues as good"

antithesis believes that mankind is rational to value what?

an unjust life if you can get it is better than a just one

describe the levels and origins of justice

"the worst" suffer injustice without possibility for revenge

compromise: neither to commit nor suffer injustice

"the best" committing injustice while avoiding penalty

what is human nature?

the desire to outdo others and others and get more and more, this is what anyone's nature naturally pursues as good

why do people live unjust lives?

because an unjust life is more choice worthy than a just one. you can get all the benefits of living a just life plus additional benefits of outdoing others and gaining more and more. there is nothing to fear from the after life. since the gods can be placated.

what are the civic virtues of state? what are they compared to?

wisdom, courage, and moderation , compared to a city or polis

describe the virtue of wisdom

compared to guardians

the part that has knowledge about city (deliberative)

the smaller rational calculating part

exercise judgement

Lord (ruler) of passion

describe the virtue of courage

compared to auxiliaries

the part with power to preserve knowledge of what is to be feared and not spirited

feel angry

reasons ally and helpmate

describe moderation

compared to "money makers"

order between the smaller and weaker part (rule)

agreement about who is to rule and who is not to be ruled

irrational and appetite

suffer cravings and urges

subservient to reason

describe how the city or polis of justice works

every class of person does his own work and doesn't meddle with what is other people's

what is the meaning of life or a persons ultimate good?

happiness (eudaimonia)

is happiness self sufficient?

yes, it makes a life choice worthy and lacking nothing all by itself

the good of a thing depends on its...?

function: everyone and everything has a function

a human beings function seems to be...

rational activity with accord to virtue

definition of virtues

virtues are traits of character that make a person excellent or makes them perform well their unique human function

a virtue of character consists in what?

a mean or middle ground, that can be ruined by excess or deficiency

a person's inner motivational state matters for...

character virtue

a virtuous action is a sign of...

a virtuous disposition, only if the person feels as they should about performing the action (pleasures and pains)

credit for virtuous actions?

first a person must do a virtuous action, second he must decide on it himself, and third he must also do them from a firm and unchanging state

what does it mean to live in moderation, "the doctrine of the mean" ?

the mean is the golden mean between deficiency and excess, the mean consists of courage, temperance, and generosity

courage (fear) is the means between

temperance (physical pleasure) is between

generosity (motivation to help) is between

cowardice and foolheartedness

abstinence and gluttony/sensuality

stinginess and profligacy

how do we acquire virtue?

through habituation

virtues are not required "blank" and "blank"controls the sorts of states that we acquire

naturally

action

happiness and freedom and goodness are acquired when you realize

there are things that are your own and and within your power (free) and things that are not your own and and not within your power (slavish)

name some things that are your own

desire, aversion, opinion (judgement), motivation, "use of impressions"

name some things that are NOT your own

body, property, reputation, office (job), "externals"

what are we to avoid attaching to...

anything that in not our own

what are impressions

inclinations to believe this or that

what are judgements

YES this good and YES this is bad

how to we deal with or use impressions?

the good an bad are largely illusory

you have the power

patient attention

how to maintain a pious attitude

recognize nothing truly bad ever happens (target demonstration)

do not hold God or the gods in contempt