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Who is Socrates? Who wrote about him?
An Athenian philosopher. Died at the age of 70 in 399 B.C. and was killed by the Athenian democracy.
Plato, Aristophanes, and Xenophon all wrote about him
Who are the Sophists? What did they believe?
Intellectuals/world-wise men. Protagoras, Gorgias, Hippias. They are master rhetoricians: they didn’t believe in objective truth. “Man is the measure of all things.” They charged a fee for their services
What is Socratic irony?
Socrates claims ignorance; wants to be taught by an expert. Takes the expert at their world that they have knowledge. Shows the expert they are ignorant too.
What do the early dialogues of Plato focus on?
Ti Esti dialogues (what is? Dialogues). They are concerned with the definition of things.
What was the Peloponnesian war? Who won?
A massive war between Athens and Sparta. Sparta wins
What was the Periclean democracy? What was the Thirty?
Direct democracy of Athenian gentlemen with property. Led by Pericles, famous statesman of the so-called “Golden Age” of Athens. The Thirty was an oligarchical tyranny run in part by Spartas, Critias and Charmides (relatives of Plato and students of Socrates).
What is the court of the King Archon?
Oversaw religious crimes
Who is Euthyphro? What’s his profession?
Mr. Right Mind: probably didn’t exist. Prophet: he knows the will of the gods and he can tell the future.
What are the two charges against Socrates?
Impiety
Corruption of the young
Why is Euthyphro at the law court?
To prosecute his father for murder of his servant.
Who is Meletus?
Socrates’ main accuser. (Represents the poets). Supporters of the democracy, not an aristocrat just a middle class guy
First definition of piety? Why doesn’t it work according to Socrates?
a. What Euthyphro is doing; prosecuting his father
b. It is just an example, not a definition
Second definition of piety? Why doesn’t it work according to Socrates?
a. what the gods love is pious and what the gods hate is impious
b. The gods disagree
Third definition of piety? Why doesn’t it work according to Socrates?
a. All the gods love is pious and what all the gods hate is impious
b. Is it pious because it’s pious? Or, is it pious because the gods love it?
Fourth definition of piety? Why doesn’t it work according to Socrates?
a. It’s that part of justice that is care for the gods (the rest of justice is care for humans)
b. What do we mean by care? How can one care for something perfect?
Fifth definition of piety? Why doesn’t it work according to Socrates?
a. Knowing how to pray and how to sacrifice
b. It repeats all the problems of the previous definitions
What happens at the end of the Euthyphro dialogue?
He runs away; makes an excuse because Socrates tells him if you don’t know what you’re talking about then why prosecute your father? That he has so much wisdom in his head that he can’t explain it.
At the beginning of the Apology, which person does Socrates say he fears the most?
Aristophanes (wrote the clouds; the rain comes from the cloud, not Zeus)
Why does Socrates say he’s not a sophist?
He doesn’t charge money for conversation (he would charge money if he had knowledge, but he doesn’t)
He isn’t interested in the natural sciences
He is committed to seeking the truth
Which god does the Oracle of Delphi represent?
Apollo (God of music, archery, healing, prophecy, and the sun)
What does the Oracle tell Chaerephon?
No man is wiser than Socrates
What is one way that Socrates refutes Meletus’ charges?
a) Corruption: Meletus says the laws improve the youth. But Socrates says I didn’t ask what; I asked who. Meletus says everyone improves the youth except Socrates. Socrates says that’s absurd. Socrates asks does Meletus think Socrates accidentally corrupts the young or intentionally corrupts the young? Meletus says he deliberately corrupts; Socrates says that’s absurd. Socrates argues no one knowingly does wrong.
What is the other way that Socrates refutes Meletus’ charges?
b. Impiety: Socrates asks if Meletus thinks he’s an atheist. Meletus says yes, and that Socrates believes that the sun and the moon are rocks. Socrates says he’s on trial, not Anaxagoras. Socrates claims he has a daemon. If the daemon is a spirit, spirits are children of gods. Therefore, Socrates believes in the gods.
Why does Socrates compare himself to a gadfly and the city of Athens to a horse?
Because what he’s doing is annoying. He is pestering Athens to commit itself to seeking wisdom. Athens is a mighty city that has gotten lazy, like a big lazy horse. It has to giddy up and seek wisdom.
What is the verdict? What are Socrates’ suggestions for his punishment (name all three)?
Guilty (by a margin of 30 votes with 501 jurors)
Free room and board for the rest of his life at the Prytaneum
Might as well just kill him
Pay them a fine (with the help of his wealthy friends) (thirty minas)
What is the ultimate sentence of the court? What is the method of execution?
Death via hemlock
Why does Socrates say we shouldn’t fear death? Name the two reasons.
Because to fear what we don’t know if arrogant.
Death is eternal sleep
Socrates will continue philosophizing in the afterlife with the heroes of Greek myth.
Who is the dog of Egypt?
Anubis (realm of the afterlife and the judgment of the dead)
