September 20 reading (Plato) Flashcards
”If old age causes unhappiness, then all old people are unhappy.” What is Cephalus’ position on this
claim?
- He thinks that this claim is true, but its antecedent is false.
What kind of claim is this? “If old age causes unhappiness, then all old people are unhappy.”
- It is a conditional claim: an “if… then… ” claim.
What is the main benefit of wealth, according to Cephalus?
- It reduces the need to lie and cheat.
Socrates discusses whether “justice is… to speak the truth and to give back what one has taken.”
Which of the following claims (you can choose more than one) does that claim entail?
- Whenever one speaks the truth, one is being just.
- Whenever one gives back what one has taken, one is being just.
The agreed result of the discussion between Socrates and Polemarchus is that…
Justice cannot involve harming anyone.
According to Cephalus, what is the key to enjoying old age?
having a well-regulated soul
Socrates proposes an explanation of why there are states (cities, in Ancient Greece). It is that…
nobody is self-sufficient.
In his discussion of the origin of the state Socrates raises the question of how people will make food
and clothing and so on. The first point he makes about this is that…
it is best if people specialize then share what they produce
Justice can be found in cities and in people. Why does Socrates think that we should discuss the former
first?
justice in a city is easier to discern than justice in a person.
The difference between what Socrates calls the “healthy” city, and the one that he says “suffers from
inflammation,” is that…
- in the latter, people insist on unnecessary luxuries
Why do cities go to war, in Socrates’ telling?
- their luxurious lifestyles require territorial expansion.
What view does Socrates have of people and occupations (shoemaker, farmer, soldier etc.)?
people are naturally suited only for particular occupations.
