Socrates and Empire Flashcards
What is ostracism in Athenian democracy?
A practice where citizens voted to exile individuals seen as threats to democracy for a set period, aiming to prevent tyranny.
How did the Delian League evolve into an Athenian empire?
Initially formed as a defensive alliance against Persia, Athens transformed it by controlling finances and member states, imposing taxes, and exerting dominance.
What is Hannah Arendt’s distinction between empire and imperialism?
An empire rules diverse people under a unifying principle, while imperialism is expansion without such a guiding principle.
How did Socrates challenge Athenian norms about public and private life?
y prioritizing private virtue over public office and asserting that truth and justice could be pursued outside political participation.
What is the “daimon” in Socrates’ philosophy?
A divine voice that guided Socrates’ actions, often deterring him from engaging in public affairs and adding to his enigmatic reputation.
What are the key characteristics of the Socratic method?
It involves questioning and dialogue to reveal contradictions in beliefs, leading interlocutors to greater self-awareness.
How does Plato’s concept of the philosopher-king differ from Socrates’ ideal polis?
Plato’s philosopher-king is a ruler with true knowledge, while Socrates envisioned a society based on equality (isonomia) without hierarchical structures.
What is isonomia, and why is it significant?
Meaning “equality before the law,” it reflects a political and social order free of hierarchy, contrasting with Athenian democracy and influencing Socratic philosophy.
How did Socrates’ rejection of public office contribute to his trial?
His refusal to participate in public affairs was seen as a rejection of Athenian civic duty, challenging the societal norms and threatening the state.
What is the Delian League, and why is it important in Athenian history?
A defensive alliance that became an instrument of Athenian imperialism, marking the tension between democracy and empire.
Describe the dual world in Plato’s philosophy.
A framework dividing reality into the world of appearances and a transcendent realm of eternal, unchanging forms.
What is the significance of Ionian thought in Socrates’ philosophy?
It emphasized isonomia and influenced Socrates’ approach to equality and self-governance, contrasting Plato’s hierarchical ideas.
How did the Sophists challenge traditional Athenian morality?
By teaching rhetoric and persuasive speech, often questioning established norms and values.
What is Plato’s theory of Forms?
A metaphysical concept positing a realm of eternal, unchanging ideas that represent the true nature of things.
How does the Socratic method relate to the Eleatic school of philosophy?
Both employ logical argumentation to reveal contradictions, aiming for deeper understanding.
