Socrates Flashcards
When was Socrates born and when did he die?
Born around 469 b.c., died in 399 b.c.
What did Socrates emphasize in his philosophy?
The human experience and individual morality.
What is the ‘Socratic problem’?
The uncertainty about Socrates’ teachings due to accounts from others that differ and are often fictionalized.
Who were the main sources of information about Socrates?
Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes.
What was Socrates’ social status?
He lived in poverty and was not aesthetically good-looking.
What military conflict did Socrates participate in?
The Peloponnesian War.
What was the charge against Socrates that led to his trial?
Being unreligious and corrupting the city’s youth.
How did Socrates die?
He was sentenced to death by drinking a poisonous drink.
What is a famous quote attributed to Socrates?
The unexamined life is not worth living.
What did Socrates believe was necessary for wisdom?
Understanding oneself.
What is the Socratic method?
A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that stimulates critical thinking.
What is the first step of the elenchus?
An individual asserts a statement which Socrates then refutes.
What does Socrates do after the other person provides an answer?
He thinks of a scenario where the answer is not the case.
In what context is the Socratic method still used today?
Most notably in law schools in the United States.
How does a professor typically use the Socratic method in law schools?
By asking a student to summarize a judge’s argument and then challenging their agreement with a series of questions.
Fill in the blank: Socrates believed people should develop their _______ rather than concentrate on material objects.
[self]
True or False: Socrates wrote down all his thoughts and teachings.
False
What did Socrates seek to understand about actions?
The difference between acting good and being good.
What were Socrates’ views on intelligence and ignorance?
An individual’s actions were directly related to their intelligence and ignorance.
