At Phaedo 86a-d Simmias puts forward the view that the soul is a sort of harmony. Socrates provides at least two arguments against this view of the soul in the text that follows. Describe his arguments and explain why you think they are convincing or not.

DISCUSSION ESSAY

Write a 2-4 page essay (in Word or rich text format, double spaced, size 12 font) on one of the following topics.

1. In the Euthyphro the third definition of piety is what all the gods love. What are some objections to this definition that are offered by Socrates.

2. In the Apology the two most famous quotes are “the unexamined life is not worth living” and “a good man is not harmed in life or death”. Discuss what you take to be the meaning of either one of these quotes. That is “what do they mean?” and “are they true?” Why or why not?

3.In the Crito Socrates is asked to leave the jail by his friend Crito. Crito offers several reason why Socrates should listen to him but Socrates resists all these arguments and presents a series of arguments of his own. One you can describe these arguments as the “no wrong doing argument”, the “agreement argument” and the “Differential of Right Argument”. Find any one of these arguments in the text and discuss it. Is it persuasive? why or why not?
4. What would it mean to persuade the laws as it is described in the Crito? Does Socrates’ account adequately allow for resisting evil legislation or is it essentially just a way to maintain the status quo?

5. Discuss the nature of virtue in the Meno and/ or Phaedo. If you choose the Meno things you should mention are some of Meno’s definitions of virtue and their objections and whether virtue is teachable or not. If you choose the Phaedo things you mention things you should mention are the difference between true and false virtue.

6. Discuss the topic of Meno’s Paradox in the Meno. What is it? and how does Socrates solve it? can you provide any critiques of the solution?

7. At Phaedo 86a-d Simmias puts forward the view that the soul is a sort of harmony. Socrates provides at least two arguments against this view of the soul in the text that follows. Describe his arguments and explain why you think they are convincing or not.

8. Discuss the nature of the Forms in the Phaedo. What are the Forms. What are they meant to explain? What stand does Plato take on the existence of the Forms?

9.Compare and contrast any two (or three) of the five dialogues we have studied one of the dialogues must be either the Meno or the Phaedo; make sure to refer to the text by title and line number and cite any secondary sources used.