2. http://socrates.clarke.edu http://socrates.clarke.edu http://socrates.clarke.edu What is Socrates’ method? What is Socrates’ method? What is philosophical method? What is philosophical method? Watch this Philosophers’ Football Match! Watch this Philosophers’ Football Match!Philosophers’ Football MatchPhilosophers’ Football Match

3. The Socratic Method Dialectic: question and answer, the importance of the method is that questions lead to more questions and not answers Dialectic: question and answer, the importance of the method is that questions lead to more questions and not answers Irony: the pose of ignorance on the part of the teacher, who may know more than he lets on Irony: the pose of ignorance on the part of the teacher, who may know more than he lets on Elenchos: cross-examination, refutation Elenchos: cross-examination, refutation Midwifery (maieutic): eliciting ideas already present in the pregnant subject’s mind Midwifery (maieutic): eliciting ideas already present in the pregnant subject’s mind

4. Plato’s Apology of Socrates What charges are brought against Socrates? What charges are brought against Socrates? “Socrates does injustice and is meddlesome, by investigating the things under the earth and the heavenly things, and by making the weaker speech the stronger, and by teaching others these same things” (p. 66). “Socrates does injustice and is meddlesome, by investigating the things under the earth and the heavenly things, and by making the weaker speech the stronger, and by teaching others these same things” (p. 66). “Socrates does injustice by corrupting the youth, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel” (p.73). “Socrates does injustice by corrupting the youth, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel” (p.73).

5. “Socrates does injustice and is meddlesome (a), by investigating the things under the earth and the heavenly things (b), and by making the weaker speech the stronger (c), and by teaching others these same things (d)” (p. 66). “Socrates does injustice and is meddlesome (a), by investigating the things under the earth and the heavenly things (b), and by making the weaker speech the stronger (c), and by teaching others these same things (d)” (p. 66). This hard to remove slander comes from the comic poet Aristophanes in The Clouds (423 BC). This hard to remove slander comes from the comic poet Aristophanes in The Clouds (423 BC). Was Socrates a sophist (i.e., a “wise” paid teacher of rhetoric, an egoist and relativist)? Was Socrates a sophist (i.e., a “wise” paid teacher of rhetoric, an egoist and relativist)?

6. Socrates’ Responses (a) Soc. might admit to being meddlesome, after all he calls himself the “gadfly of Athens” (a) Soc. might admit to being meddlesome, after all he calls himself the “gadfly of Athens” (b) Soc. suggests that he has been confused with Anaxagoras (p. 76) and that his accusers have not read the books carefully. (b) Soc. suggests that he has been confused with Anaxagoras (p. 76) and that his accusers have not read the books carefully. (c) Soc. is not a clever speaker, but a speaker of the truth. Here he offers the many present as his witnesses. (c) Soc. is not a clever speaker, but a speaker of the truth. Here he offers the many present as his witnesses. (d) Soc. says that he has never accepted money for his teaching. He later says that he isn’t a teacher…just someone who pursues justice and virtue. (d) Soc. says that he has never accepted money for his teaching. He later says that he isn’t a teacher…just someone who pursues justice and virtue.

7. “Socrates does injustice by corrupting the youth (e), and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes (f), but in other daimonia that are novel (g)” (p.73). “Socrates does injustice by corrupting the youth (e), and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes (f), but in other daimonia that are novel (g)” (p.73). (e) Does the many or the one make the youth better? Horse analogy (e) Does the many or the one make the youth better? Horse analogy (e) Does anyone wish to be harmed by those he associates with? (e) Does anyone wish to be harmed by those he associates with? If Soc. voluntarily corrupts the youth then he risks receiving harm in return If Soc. voluntarily corrupts the youth then he risks receiving harm in return Either he doesn’t corrupt the youth or he does so involuntarily (in which case he should be helped, not punished). Either he doesn’t corrupt the youth or he does so involuntarily (in which case he should be helped, not punished).

8. (f & g) Soc. gets Meletus to contradict himself by claiming that Soc. is an atheist and a believer in daimonia. (p. 77) (f & g) Soc. gets Meletus to contradict himself by claiming that Soc. is an atheist and a believer in daimonia. (p. 77) Does Soc. accurately respond to these charges? Does Soc. accurately respond to these charges?

9. The oracle at Delphi and Socrates’ response What did the oracle say? What did the oracle say? There is no one wiser than Soc. (p. 69) There is no one wiser than Soc. (p. 69) How did Soc. respond? How did Soc. respond? He interpreted it as a charge from the gods to examine others to find out who is wise He interpreted it as a charge from the gods to examine others to find out who is wise He investigated politicians, poets, and craftsman He investigated politicians, poets, and craftsman He concludes: “that really the god is wise, and that…human wisdom is worth little or nothing” (p. 71). He concludes: “that really the god is wise, and that…human wisdom is worth little or nothing” (p. 71).

10. What is Socrates’ philosophy? A great good, something he would never stop practicing A great good, something he would never stop practicing Not to care for the least important things, such as money, bodies, reputation, honor, family, household management, etc. (pp. 81 & 90) Not to care for the least important things, such as money, bodies, reputation, honor, family, household management, etc. (pp. 81 & 90) But care for the greatest things, such as virtue, justice, prudence, truth, and “how your soul will be the best possible” (p. 81) But care for the greatest things, such as virtue, justice, prudence, truth, and “how your soul will be the best possible” (p. 81) Socrates is convinced that he does “not do injustice to any human being voluntarily” (p. 91). Socrates is convinced that he does “not do injustice to any human being voluntarily” (p. 91).

11. The Verdict and Sentence What happened? What happened? Soc. is found guilty by a vote of 280 to 220. Soc. is found guilty by a vote of 280 to 220. Meletus proposes the death penalty. What counterproposal is offered by Soc.? Meletus proposes the death penalty. What counterproposal is offered by Soc.? Free meals in the Prytaneum (ancient and sacred hearth of the city reserved for Olympic victors and other benefactors of the city) Free meals in the Prytaneum (ancient and sacred hearth of the city reserved for Olympic victors and other benefactors of the city) His supporters then get him to propose a fine, but the jury sentences him to death. His supporters then get him to propose a fine, but the jury sentences him to death.

12. What are Socrates’ views of death? Irrational to fear what one does not know, or to suppose that one knows what ones does not (p. 80) Irrational to fear what one does not know, or to suppose that one knows what ones does not (p. 80) Not something bad because “the sign of the god” did not oppose Soc. Not something bad because “the sign of the god” did not oppose Soc. Either: nothing, no perception, like a sleep without dreams, which would be a “wondrous gain” Either: nothing, no perception, like a sleep without dreams, which would be a “wondrous gain” Or: something—”a change and migration of the soul,” a journey to Hades, which would be “an inconceivable happiness,” for one could continue to philosophize Or: something—”a change and migration of the soul,” a journey to Hades, which would be “an inconceivable happiness,” for one could continue to philosophize Does the last line of the text pose any problems? Does the last line of the text pose any problems? Is the view of death in the Phaedo consistent with these views? Is the view of death in the Phaedo consistent with these views?

13. Plato’s Phaedo “The setting for this dialogue is the prison on the day of Socrates execution. The interlocutors dialogue throughout the day and the execution occurs in the evening. Those present to converse with Socrates include Phaedo, for whom the dialogue is named, Crito, Cebes, Simmias, and Apollodorus. Notably absent is Plato. It has been speculated that he avoided the execution for fear of breaking down emotionally and disappointing his teacher.” “The setting for this dialogue is the prison on the day of Socrates execution. The interlocutors dialogue throughout the day and the execution occurs in the evening. Those present to converse with Socrates include Phaedo, for whom the dialogue is named, Crito, Cebes, Simmias, and Apollodorus. Notably absent is Plato. It has been speculated that he avoided the execution for fear of breaking down emotionally and disappointing his teacher.”prison Socrates PhaedoCrito CebesSimmias Platoprison Socrates PhaedoCrito CebesSimmias Plato What are the central ideas in this text? What are the central ideas in this text?

14. 1. Dualism: (i) the view that a human being is comprised of both a visible part (body) and an invisible one (soul), and (ii) the view that there are two distinct worlds 1. Dualism: (i) the view that a human being is comprised of both a visible part (body) and an invisible one (soul), and (ii) the view that there are two distinct worlds 2. Immortality of the soul: What happens after death? 2. Immortality of the soul: What happens after death? 3. The importance of philosophy: 3. The importance of philosophy: “No one may join the company of the gods who has not practiced philosophy and is not completely pure when he departs from life, no one but a lover of learning.” “No one may join the company of the gods who has not practiced philosophy and is not completely pure when he departs from life, no one but a lover of learning.”

15. What is the significance of the “Allegory of the Cave”?

16. PLATO'S DIVIDED LINE Faculty (within the soul)Object (out there) KNOWLEDGEReason (Dialectic)Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc.Intelligible World Lit by the Form of the Good Understanding (based on assumptions)Forms of Math and Science OPINIONPerception, BeliefParticular Things - Living and ArtificialVisible or Sensible World Lit by the Sun Conjecture, ImaginingShadows, Images, Reflections, Copies PLATO'S DIVIDED LINE Faculty (within the soul)Object (out there) KNOWLEDGEReason (Dialectic)Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc.Intelligible World Lit by the Form of the Good Understanding (based on assumptions)Forms of Math and Science OPINIONPerception, BeliefParticular Things - Living and ArtificialVisible or Sensible World Lit by the Sun Conjecture, ImaginingShadows, Images, Reflections, Copies PLATO'S DIVIDED LINE Faculty (within the soul)Object (out there) KNOWLEDGEReason (Dialectic)Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc.Intelligible World Lit by the Form of the Good Understanding (based on assumptions)Forms of Math and Science OPINIONPerception, BeliefParticular Things - Living and ArtificialVisible or Sensible World Lit by the Sun Conjecture, ImaginingShadows, Images, Reflections, Copies Faculty (within the soul) Object (out there) KN O WL ED GE Reason (Dialectic ) Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc. Intellig ible World Lit by the Form of the Good Understa nding (based on assumpti ons) Forms of Math and Science OP INI ON Perceptio n, Belief Particular Things - Living and Artificial Visible or Sensi ble World Lit by the Sun Conjectur e, Imaginin g Shadows, Images, Reflection s, Copies Faculty (within the soul) Object (out there) KN O WL ED GE Reason (Dialectic ) Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc. Intellig ible World Lit by the Form of the Good Understa nding (based on assumpti ons) Forms of Math and Science OP INI ON Perceptio n, Belief Particular Things - Living and Artificial Visible or Sensi ble World Lit by the Sun Conjectur e, Imaginin g Shadows, Images, Reflection s, Copies Faculty (within the soul)Object (out there) KNOWL EDGE Intelligence (Reason, Dialectic) Higher Forms (Beauty, Justice, Truth, etc. Intelligible World Lit by the Form of the Good Thinking (based on assumptions) Forms of Math and Science OPINION Belief (Perception)Particular Things - Living and Artificial Visible or Sensible World Lit by the Sun ImaginingShadows, Images, Reflections, Copies

17. What does Crito want of Socrates and how does Socrates respond? To escape and go into exile (Thessaly) To escape and go into exile (Thessaly) Why? Why? Otherwise Crito will lose both a unique companion and his reputation. Otherwise Crito will lose both a unique companion and his reputation. Crito suggests that Socrates is betraying himself, as well as his family and friends. Crito suggests that Socrates is betraying himself, as well as his family and friends. Socrates wishes to focus on the reasoning and the arguments that can be deduced. Socrates wishes to focus on the reasoning and the arguments that can be deduced.

18. Argument about opinions: Should one honor the opinions of some or all? Argument about opinions: Should one honor the opinions of some or all? For Socrates, it’s the former. Just as a gymnast would honor the one doctor or trainer who cares for the body, the person should honor the truth itself and not the many. For Socrates, it’s the former. Just as a gymnast would honor the one doctor or trainer who cares for the body, the person should honor the truth itself and not the many. For Socrates, it’s not living, but living well that is most important. For Socrates, it’s not living, but living well that is most important.

19. Is it just for Socrates to escape? Socrates gets Crito to agree that doing injustice is always wrong… Socrates gets Crito to agree that doing injustice is always wrong… “Even he who has been done injustice, must not do injustice in return, as the many suppose, since one must in no way do injustice.” (p. 107) “Even he who has been done injustice, must not do injustice in return, as the many suppose, since one must in no way do injustice.” (p. 107) Then “the Laws” speak (p. 108 f.) to suggest that if Socrates were to go away from the city without persuading it, he would be doing injustice to the laws and community. Then “the Laws” speak (p. 108 f.) to suggest that if Socrates were to go away from the city without persuading it, he would be doing injustice to the laws and community.

20. Socrates embraces a “social contract theory” which holds that by staying in the city and enjoying the protection of its laws (e.g., marriage/birth, nurture, education), one has agreed to abide by those laws. Socrates embraces a “social contract theory” which holds that by staying in the city and enjoying the protection of its laws (e.g., marriage/birth, nurture, education), one has agreed to abide by those laws. If Socrates were to leave he would be undermining the authority of the laws, and could then be truly considered as a corruptor of the youth. If Socrates were to leave he would be undermining the authority of the laws, and could then be truly considered as a corruptor of the youth.