You MUST bring your own Blue Examination Booklet.

I. Short Answer: You will be given some of the following questions (10 points each).

1. Re-construct Socrates’ argument from the Meno that everyone desires good things. How does this refute Meno’s third definition of virtue? How does Meno reformulate his definition in response to this?

2. At Meno 87c, Socrates proposes the hypothesis, “if virtue is a kind of knowledge, it is clear that it could be taught.” Reconstruct the argument Socrates gives that virtue is a kind of knowledge. What argument does he give after this to show that virtue is not knowledge? What distinction resolves the contradictory conclusions of these two arguments? How?

3. Reconstruct the argument that philosophy is the practice for death and dying, as made in the Phaedo. What are the premises of this argument? Trace out all of the key steps which lead from the premises to the conclusion.

4. Carefully reconstruct the proof of recollection as presented in the Phaedo. Beyond just explaining the key steps of the argument, be sure to answer the following questions: What is recollection? What does it prove regarding the soul? What assumptions must be made for the proof to hold?

5. According to the Protagoras, what exactly is a Sophist? Do Socrates and Protagoras have different conceptions on the purpose and definition of sophistry? If so, describe the views of each character. If not, provide evidence that they share a consistent understanding of this profession.

6. Carefully reconstruct Socrates’ argument intended to refute Protagoras’ position that, “[v]irtue is a single entity, and the things you are asking about are its parts” (329d). Be sure to identify each key step up through 333b.

7. Explain Socrates’ argument regarding the interpretation of Simonides’ poem at Protagoras 399a-348a. What contradiction does Protagoras suggest exists in the two initial passages cited from the poem at 339b and 339c? Does Socrates agree that these passages contradict each other? Why or why not? What is this analysis of poetry intended to demonstrate?

8. Explain the hedonistic calculus developed at Protagoras 353c-357e. What does this “art of measurement” measure? According to this conception, what does it mean to be overcome by pleasure? Exactly how does Socrates use his understanding of this calculus to refute Protagoras’ argument that while the other four parts of virtue, “are reasonably close to each other, courage is completely different from all the rest” (349d)?

9. Thoroughly construct the view of love provided by Eryximachus in the Symposium.

10. Explain the ascent up the “ladder of love” described at Symposium 210a-212a. Give each step of the process and describe what is learned at each stage. What does this passage teach us about the forms?

11. In your opinion, does a Platonic conception of love emerge from the Symposium? If so, what is it? If not, why? How does Plato employ various dramatic techniques to facilitate an interpretation of the dialogue that move beyond the logical arguments contained in the text?

12. What is the first hypothesis of Zeno’s first argument in the Parmenides? What does Zeno intend to accomplish by maintaining this position? What problem does Socrates have with Zeno’s hypothesis? What does he desire to have demonstrated instead?

13. Briefly explain each of the six criticisms of theory of forms in Parmenides, clarifying both the objection and problem it raises for the theory as maintained by Socrates in the dialogue.

14. What is the Socratic “art of midwifery”? How does the Theaetetus portray this Socratic art in action? Does the Sophist provide further examples of such midwifery? Why or why not?

15. Explain the relationship between the doctrines of Protagoras, Heraclitus, and Theaetetus as developed in the Theaetetus.

16. Carefully and accurately reconstruct Socrates’ final argument against the Protagorean/Heraclitean position based upon the “common sensibles” presented in the Theaetetus from 184b-187b. What are the premises of the argument? Going through every step, explain both what the conclusions are and precisely how they follow from the premises.

17. Explain the reasoning presented from Theaetetus 201d-206b that causes Socrates to conclude, “if anyone maintains that the complex is by nature knowable, and the element unknowable, we shall regard this as tomfoolery, whether it is intended to be or not” (Theaetetus 206b).

18. What are the three definitions of an account discussed in the Theaetetus? State each definition and briefly explain the main criticism Socrates develops with each one.

19. Why does the Eleatic Visitor initially find “that which is not” to be unthinkable and unsayable? Based upon this point, why does the hunt for the Sophist require the “patricide” of Parmenides?

20. Reconstruct the Eleatic Stranger’s criticism of those who say that being is two and those that say that being is one (243d-245e).

21. Why does the Eleatic Visitor come up with seven definitions of sophistry in the Sophist through the method of collection and division? What is the final definition of the sophist? How is this definition different from the first six definitions of sophistry? Is this final definition accurate? Why or why not? If so, what do the first six definitions describe?

22. Explain the “battle of gods and giants” (246a) over being. Who are the gods? Who are the giants? What does each group believe regarding the nature of being? Briefly explain the Visitor’s refutation of each one.

23. According to the Sophist, what is the form of not-being? How does this form make false speech possible?

24. Briefly explain the most important details of the generation of the universe in the Timaeus.

25. What is the analogy of the mother, father and offspring supposed to illustrate in the Timaeus? What exactly is the receptacle of becoming and what are its characteristics?

26. Why does Plato write dialogues? In your opinion, does he believe he is he better able to capture truth in written form through this genre? Use specific examples from the texts covered in this class in your answer.

II. Essay Topics (25 points each).

1. To what extent does Plato’s Sophist present a “revised” theory of forms?

2. Critically assess Plato’s use of myth and the dialogue form.

3. Compare and contrast the character of Socrates from different dialogues.