Deck 8: Plato Apology

Question 1

In the reading, a friend of Socrates asked the ________________ to tell him whether there was anyone wiser than Socrates.

A) elders of Athens
B) religious leaders
C) oracle of Delphi
D) mayor of Athens

Answer 1

C

Question 2

In the reading, Socrates says, "What can he mean when he says that I am the wisest of men? And yet he is a god and cannot lie; that would be against his nature. After a long consideration, I at last thought of a method of trying the question. I reflected that if I could only find a man wiser than myself, then I might go to the god with a ___________ in my hand."

A) confirmation
B) refutation
C) certificate
D) absolution

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In the reading, Socrates says, "When I began to talk with him, I could not help thinking that he was not really wise, although he was thought wise by many, and wiser still by himself; and I went and tried to explain to him that he thought himself wise, but was not really wise; and the consequence was that he hated me, and his enmity was shared by several who were present and heard me. So I left him, saying to myself, as I went away: Well, although I do not suppose that either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is-for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows, ..."

A) but others will still think him wise.
B) he will continue to look foolish.
C) I know that I know.
D) I neither know nor think that I know.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

In the reading, Socrates says, "I went to the poets; I am almost ashamed to speak of this, but still I must say that there is hardly a person present who would not have talked better about their poetry than they did themselves. That showed me in an instant that not by _______ do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them."

A) wisdom
B) science
C) spirit
D) chance

Question 5

In the reading, Socrates says, "young men of the richer classes, who have not much to do, come about me of their own accord; they like to hear the pretenders examined, and they often imitate me, and examine others themselves; there are plenty of persons, as they soon enough discover, who think that they know something, but really know little or nothing: and then those who are examined by them instead of being angry with themselves are ..."

A) upset at their children.
B) pleased with their ignorance.
C) angry with me.
D) still seeking wisdom.

Question 6

In the reading, Socrates confronts Meletus's charge that Socrates "corrupts the youth." Meletus then claims that ...

A) Socrates is a complete atheist.
B) Socrates is anti-government.
C) Socrates incites the youth to revolt against the ruling class.
D) Socrates tells them to renounce all moral laws.

Question 7

In the reading, Socrates says, "But I shall be asked, Why do people delight in continually conversing with you? I have told you already, Athenians, the whole truth about this: they like to hear the cross-examination of the ____________________; there is amusement in this."

A) elected politicians
B) callow and fickle youth
C) uneducated citizens
D) pretenders to wisdom

Question 8

In the reading, after the jury finds Socrates guilty, he is allowed to offer a proposal for his sentence. Socrates suggests ...

A) that he should be subject to house arrest.
B) that he should be given a new trial.
C) that he should be rewarded for his helping others to seek wisdom.
D) that he can appeal to the King for forgiveness.

Question 9

In the reading, we find this passage: "Socrates, this time we will not mind Anytus, and will let you off, but upon one condition, that you are not to inquire and speculate in this way any more, and that if you are caught doing this again you shall die; if this was the condition on which you let me go, I should reply: Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the ..."

A) search for God.
B) goal of perfecting the state government.
C) practice and teaching of philosophy.
D) overthrow of this government.

Question 10

In the reading, we find this passage: "Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you? Now I have great difficulty in making you understand my answer to this. For if I tell you that this would be a disobedience to a divine command, and therefore that I cannot hold my tongue, you will not believe that I am serious; and if I say again that the greatest good of man is daily to converse about virtue, and all that concerning which you hear me examining myself and others, and that the ..."

A) will of God will always prevail.
B) life which is unexamined is not worth living.
C) future of mankind rests on your verdict.
D) pious will inherit the Earth.

Question 11

In the reading, a friend of Socrates asked the elders of Athens to tell him whether there was anyone wiser than Socrates.

Question 12

In the reading, Socrates says, "What can he mean when he says that I am the wisest of men? And yet he is a god and cannot lie; that would be against his nature. After a long consideration, I at last thought of a method of trying the question. I reflected that if I could only find a man wiser than myself, then I might go to the god with a refutation in my hand."

Question 13

In the reading, Socrates says, "When I began to talk with him, I could not help thinking that he was not really wise, although he was thought wise by many, and wiser still by himself; and I went and tried to explain to him that he thought himself wise, but was not really wise; and the consequence was that he hated me, and his enmity was shared by several who were present and heard me. So I left him, saying to myself, as I went away: Well, although I do not suppose that either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is-for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows but others will still think him wise."

Question 14

In the reading, Socrates says, "I went to the poets; I am almost ashamed to speak of this, but still I must say that there is hardly a person present who would not have talked better about their poetry than they did themselves. That showed me in an instant that not by chance do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them."

Question 15

In the reading, Socrates says, "young men of the richer classes, who have not much to do, come about me of their own accord; they like to hear the pretenders examined, and they often imitate me, and examine others themselves; there are plenty of persons, as they soon enough discover, who think that they know something, but really know little or nothing: and then those who are examined by them instead of being angry with themselves are angry with me."

Question 16

In the reading, Socrates confronts Meletus's charge that Socrates "corrupts the youth." Meletus then claims that Socrates is anti-government.

Question 17

In the reading, Socrates says, "But I shall be asked, Why do people delight in continually conversing with you? I have told you already, Athenians, the whole truth about this: they like to hear the cross-examination of the pretenders to wisdom; there is amusement in this."

Question 18

In the reading, after the jury finds Socrates guilty, he is allowed to offer a proposal for his sentence. Socrates suggests that he should be subject to house arrest.

Question 19

In the reading, we find this passage: "Socrates, this time we will not mind Anytus, and will let you off, but upon one condition, that you are not to inquire and speculate in this way any more, and that if you are caught doing this again you shall die; if this was the condition on which you let me go, I should reply: Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy."

Question 20

In the reading, we find this passage: "Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you? Now I have great difficulty in making you understand my answer to this. For if I tell you that this would be a disobedience to a divine command, and therefore that I cannot hold my tongue, you will not believe that I am serious; and if I say again that the greatest good of man is daily to converse about virtue, and all that concerning which you hear me examining myself and others, and that the pious will inherit the Earth."

Question 21

In the reading, Socrates says, "What can he mean when he says that I am the wisest of men? And yet he is a god and cannot lie; that would be against his nature. After a long consideration, I at last thought of a method of trying the question. I reflected that if I could only find a man wiser than myself, then I might go to the god with a refutation in my hand." Discuss some of the types of people that Socrates questioned, and what Socrates concluded from his questioning.

Question 22

In the reading, Socrates says, "I went to the poets; I am almost ashamed to speak of this, but still I must say that there is hardly a person present who would not have talked better about their poetry than they did themselves. That showed me in an instant that not by wisdom do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them." Do you agree with Socrates judgment of the poets?

Question 23

In the reading, Socrates confronts Meletus's charge that Socrates "corrupts the youth." Meletus then claims that Socrates is a complete atheist. Discuss how Socrates interrogates Meletus over this charge against Socrates.

Question 24

In the reading, after the jury finds Socrates guilty, he is allowed to offer a proposal for his sentence. Socrates suggests that he should be rewarded for his helping others to seek wisdom. Do you think that Socrates purposely antagonized the jury? Why might he do this?

Question 25

In the reading, we find this passage: "Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you? Now I have great difficulty in making you understand my answer to this. For if I tell you that this would be a disobedience to a divine command, and therefore that I cannot hold my tongue, you will not believe that I am serious; and if I say again that the greatest good of man is daily to converse about virtue, and all that concerning which you hear me examining myself and others, and that the life which is unexamined is not worth living." Do you agree with Socrates?

Question 26

In this reading, Crito urges Socrates to ...

A) appeal to the law courts to reverse his conviction.
B) bribe the government to repeal his sentence.
C) ask for a new trial.
D) escape prison to avoid death.

Question 27

In the reading, Crito worries that many people "will believe that I might have saved you if I had been willing to give money, but that I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than this-that I should be thought to value money more than the life of a friend?" To which Socrates responds, ...

A) "The will of the people should always be respected, Crito."
B) "But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many?"
C) "Ask as many people as you can to contribute to the escape fund."
D) "Dear Crito, rouse the people to petition the government for my pardon."

Question 28

In the reading, Socrates says, "For I am and always have been one of those natures who must be guided by ..."

A) reason.
B) the will of the people.
C) the advice of experts.
D) my family.

Question 29

In the reading, Socrates and Crito discuss whether doing evil in return for evil is ever justified. Socrates's position is ...

A) that it is sometimes justified.
B) that it is never justified.
C) that it depends on the custom of your country.
D) that it is impossible to answer.

Question 30

In the reading, Socrates discusses whether his escape from prison would be ...

A) successful.
B) thwarted.
C) justified.
D) popular.

Question 31

In the reading, Socrates claims that by living in Athens his entire life, he has entered into an ________________ that he will obey the laws.

A) implied contract
B) unfair agreement
C) unjustified bargain
D) universal statute

Question 32

In the reading, Socrates says that if he stays and accepts his punishment, then he dies "in innocence, a sufferer and not a doer of evil; a victim, not of the laws, but of ..."

A) a corrupt system.
B) men.
C) fate.
D) religion.

Question 33

In this reading, Crito urges Socrates to ask for a new trial.

Question 34

In the reading, Crito worries that many people "will believe that I might have saved you if I had been willing to give money, but that I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than this-that I should be thought to value money more than the life of a friend?" To which Socrates responds, "But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many?"

Question 35

In the reading, Socrates says, "For I am and always have been one of those natures who must be guided by the will of the people."

Question 36

In the reading, Socrates and Crito discuss whether doing evil in return for evil is ever justified. Socrates's position is that it is never justified.

Question 37

In the reading, Socrates discusses whether his escape from prison would be successful.

Question 38

In the reading, Socrates claims that by living in Athens his entire life, he has entered into an unfair agreement that he will obey the laws.

Question 39

In the reading, Socrates says that if he stays and accepts his punishment, then he dies "in innocence, a sufferer and not a doer of evil; a victim, not of the laws, but of a corrupt system."

Question 40

Discuss some of Crito's arguments why Socrates should escape prison. How does Socrates respond to Crito's arguments?

Question 41

In the reading, Crito worries that many people "will believe that I might have saved you if I had been willing to give money, but that I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than this-that I should be thought to value money more than the life of a friend?" To which Socrates responds, "But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many?" Do you agree with Crito or with Socrates? Explain your answer.

Question 42

What are some of Socrates's reasons for claiming that doing evil or harming other people is never justified? Do you agree with Socrates? Explain your answer.

Question 43

Socrates offers an imaginary discussion with "the Laws," in which the Laws offer reasons why Socrates should obey the laws and accept his death sentence. What are some of the reasons the Laws give? How does this relate to an "implied contract" between Socrates and the state?

Question 44

Explain what Socrates means when he says that if he stays and accepts his punishment, then he dies "in innocence, a sufferer and not a doer of evil; a victim, not of the laws, but of men." Do you agree with Socrates? Explain your answer.

Question 45

If you were Socrates, and if you were offered an escape from the death sentence, would you accept it? Explain your answer.

Question 46

According to Aristotle, "Every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some ..."

A) laws.
B) good.
C) custom.
D) religion.

Question 47

According to Aristotle, "When several families are united, and the association aims at something more than the supply of daily needs, the first society to be formed is the ..."

A) clan.
B) tribe.
C) village.
D) city.

Question 48

According to Aristotle, "When several villages are united in a single complete community, large enough to be nearly or quite self-sufficient, the ______ comes into existence, originating in the bare needs of life, and continuing in existence for the sake of a good life."

A) state
B) city
C) tribe
D) clan

Question 49

According to Aristotle, "it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature __________________. Nature, as we often say, makes nothing in vain, and man is the only animal whom she has endowed with the gift of speech."

A) endowed with rights
B) beholden to God
C) an original idea
D) a political animal

Question 50

According to Aristotle, "A _______________ is implanted in all men by nature, and yet he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors. For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all."

A) belief in God
B) social instinct
C) desire to conquer
D) fear of others

Question 51

According to Aristotle, "Every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some religion."

Question 52

According to Aristotle, "When several families are united, and the association aims at something more than the supply of daily needs, the first society to be formed is the clan."

Question 53

According to Aristotle, "When several villages are united in a single complete community, large enough to be nearly or quite self-sufficient, the state comes into existence, originating in the bare needs of life, and continuing in existence for the sake of a good life."

Question 54

According to Aristotle, "it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature endowed with rights. Nature, as we often say, makes nothing in vain, and man is the only animal whom she has endowed with the gift of speech."

Question 55

According to Aristotle, "A fear of others is implanted in all men by nature, and yet he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors. For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all."

Question 56

Explain what Aristotle means when he says, "Every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some good." Can a community be established that is contrary to Aristotle's view? Explain your answer.

Question 57

Aristotle says, "When several families are united, and the association aims at something more than the supply of daily needs, the first society to be formed is the village." Do you agree with Aristotle? Explain your answer.

Question 58

Explain what Aristotle means when he says, "When several villages are united in a single complete community, large enough to be nearly or quite self-sufficient, the state comes into existence, originating in the bare needs of life, and continuing in existence for the sake of a good life." Do you agree with Aristotle? Explain your answer.

Question 59

Aristotle says, "it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature a political animal." First, do you agree with Aristotle that the state is a "creation of nature"? Second, are there people who are not "political animals"? Explain your answer.

Question 60

Aristotle says, "A social instinct is implanted in all men by nature, and yet he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors. For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." Explain what Aristotle means by "a social instinct." Do you agree with Aristotle? Explain your answer.

Question 61

According to Hobbes, "it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war is of ..."

A) the strongest groups against the weakest.
B) tribal leaders subduing dissidents.
C) villages against villages.
D) every man against every man.

Question 62

According to Hobbes, in the state of nature, "The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have no place there. Where there is no common power, there is no ..."

A) law.
B) war.
C) enemy.
D) tribe.

Question 63

According to Hobbes, "Justice and injustice are none of the faculties either of the body, nor mind. If they were, they might be in a man that were alone in the world, as well as his senses and passions. They are qualities that relate to men in ..."

A) the abstract, not in the concrete.
B) society, not in solitude.
C) an advanced state of evolution.
D) relation to their religious beliefs.

Question 64

According to Hobbes, "By ________ is understood the absence of external impediments; impediments which may often take away part of a man's power to do what he would, but cannot hinder him from using the power left him, according as his judgement and reason shall dictate to him."

A) necessity
B) reason
C) liberty
D) custom

Question 65

According to Hobbes, "A _______________ is a precept or general rule found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or takes away the means of preserving the same; and to omit that by which he thinks it may be best preserved."

A) law of religion
B) law of nature
C) social custom
D) presumed premise

Question 66

According to Hobbes, "That a man is willing, when others are so too, for _______ and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things, and be content with so much liberty against other men as he would allow other men against himself."

A) charity
B) religion
C) country
D) peace

Question 67

According to Hobbes, "The mutual transferring of right is that which men call _________. There is a difference between transferring of the right to the thing, and transferring of the thing itself. The thing may be delivered together with the translation of the right, as in buying and selling with money, or exchange of goods or lands, and it may be delivered some time after."

A) contract
B) purchase
C) absolution
D) abduction

Question 68

According to Hobbes, "When the transferring of right is not mutual, but one of the parties transfers in hope to gain friendship or service from another, or from his friends, or in hope to gain the reputation of charity or magnanimity, or to deliver his mind from the pain of compassion, or in hope of reward in heaven," then this is called a ...

A) graft.
B) bribe.
C) gift.
D) vote.

Question 69

According to Hobbes, "Whoever transfers any right transfers the means of enjoying it as far as it lies in his power. As he that sells land is understood to transfer whatever grow upon it. Nor can he that sells a mill turn away the stream that drives it. And they that give to a man the right of government in _____________ are understood to give him the right of levying money to maintain soldiers, and of appointing magistrates for the administration of justice."

A) perpetuity
B) representation
C) sovereignty
D) transference

Question 70

According to Hobbes, "a real unity of them all in one and the same person, made by covenant of every man with every man, in such manner, as if every man should say to every man, 'I authorize and give up my right of governing myself to this man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition: that you give up your right to him, and authorize all his actions in like manner.' This done, the multitude so united in one person, is called a ..."

A) triumvirate.
B) commonwealth.
C) dictatorship.
D) faction.

Question 71

According to Hobbes, "it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war is of every man against every man."

Question 72

According to Hobbes, in the state of nature, "The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have no place there. Where there is no common power, there is no enemy."

Question 73

According to Hobbes, "Justice and injustice are none of the faculties either of the body, nor mind. If they were, they might be in a man that were alone in the world, as well as his senses and passions. They are qualities that relate to men in relation to their religious beliefs."

Question 74

According to Hobbes, "By liberty is understood the absence of external impediments; impediments which may often take away part of a man's power to do what he would, but cannot hinder him from using the power left him, according as his judgement and reason shall dictate to him."

Question 75

According to Hobbes, "A law of nature is a precept or general rule found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or takes away the means of preserving the same; and to omit that by which he thinks it may be best preserved."

Question 76

According to Hobbes, "That a man is willing, when others are so too, for peace and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things, and be content with so much liberty against other men as he would allow other men against himself."

Question 77

According to Hobbes, "The mutual transferring of right is that which men call absolution. There is a difference between transferring of the right to the thing, and transferring of the thing itself. The thing may be delivered together with the translation of the right, as in buying and selling with money, or exchange of goods or lands, and it may be delivered some time after."

Question 78

According to Hobbes, "When the transferring of right is not mutual, but one of the parties transfers in hope to gain friendship or service from another, or from his friends, or in hope to gain the reputation of charity or magnanimity, or to deliver his mind from the pain of compassion, or in hope of reward in heaven," then this is called a gift.

Question 79

According to Hobbes, "Whoever transfers any right transfers the means of enjoying it as far as it lies in his power. As he that sells land is understood to transfer whatever grow upon it. Nor can he that sells a mill turn away the stream that drives it. And they that give to a man the right of government in sovereignty are understood to give him the right of levying money to maintain soldiers, and of appointing magistrates for the administration of justice."

Question 80

According to Hobbes, "a real unity of them all in one and the same person, made by covenant of every man with every man, in such manner, as if every man should say to every man, 'I authorize and give up my right of governing myself to this man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition: that you give up your right to him, and authorize all his actions in like manner.' This done, the multitude so united in one person, is called a triumvirate.