Socrates Flashcards
How and when did Socrates die?
- He was executed (poisoning)
- 399 BC
What does Socrates’ trial and execution show about democracy and individual rights?
A majority have the capacity to act just like a tyrant.
What are the three primary aspects of Socrates’ Philosophy?
- The Socratic Method
- Socratic Wisdom
- Examination of a Good Human Life
Define Ethics.
The study of how to live well as a human being.
What was Socrates’ question regarding Ethics?
How does one live the ‘best’ possible life? Specifically, a ‘good’ life, not a moral one.
What is Subjectivism?
The argument that in order to have a good life one must satisfy their desires.
What is Eudaimonism?
The argument that in order to have a good life one must be mature and virtuous.
What does Eudaimonia mean?
This word means: genuine/true happiness.
What are the general arguments for Subjectivism?
Everyone is different, therefore, has different needs. Happiness is not a size fits all.
We haven’t come up with an objective answer for human happiness yet after decades of pondering. We would’ve gotten it by now. (Interminable Disagreement)
What is The Socratic Method? What is its purpose?
- The Socratic Method is in which one asks another a series of questions and answers that leads to a contradiction.
- The Socratic Method does not create any new/positive knowledge and instead tries to highlight one’s ignorance.
What is Socratic Wisdom?
Realizing one is not wise and in fact is ignorant.
Why is it so easy for Socrates to lead people into contradiction?
- They are not wise
- They believe they are wise
What does Plato’s allegory of the cave symbolize in Socrates’ trial?
- Prisoners: Jury
- Chains : Older accusers:- Aristophanes
- Shadows: Appearance: “Socrates is a persuasive liar”
- Statues: Reality: Socrates is not persuasive because he tells the truth
What are the three mental faculties within the human mind according to Plato?
- Reason
- Spirited
- Appetite (Appetitive)
What are the three mental faculties’ carnal desires?
Reason: wants knowledge
Spirited: wants the recognition of your dignity
Appetite: wants immediate pleasure
What are the four cardinal virtues and which one cannot happen without the other 3?
- Wisdom
- Courage
- Temperance
- Justice
What is the name of Socrates’ old accuser?
What is the name of his new accuser?
- Aristophanes
- Meletus
What was the oracle’s puzzle? How does Socrates solve it?
- The wisest man in Athens is Socrates, but Socrates is not wise
- He may not be wise, but since he understands that he is not wise, that makes him more wise than the people of Athens who think they are
