Philosophy

PHL 215 – Exam #2 Study Questions

· TEN questions will appear on your second exam.

· Seven of those questions will be taken from those listed below.

· Two or three questions will be taken from your first exam (the exam itself)

· One question may appear on the exam that is not on the study guide or first exam.

1. How does Socrates argue in Meno that virtue cannot be taught? What evidence does he offer for his view?

2. Briefly explain how Socrates argues in Apology that he was the wisest man in Greece, and what he suggests this shows about the purpose of philosophy.

3. Briefly explain Socrates’ two arguments for not escaping from death row in Plato’s Crito.

4. Briefly explain Socrates’ argument from opposites in favor of immortality. Then explain how, on one reading, the argument seems fallacious, but on another reading, it may be worth taking seriously.

5. Briefly explain how the Athenian argues in Plato’s Laws that regulated intoxication is an important part of moral education.

6. Briefly explain the several respects in which the Athenian argues in Book II of Plato’s Laws that song and dance should be regulated in a good city, and how he justifies those regulations.

7. Briefly explain how the Athenian argues that cities came into existence in Book III of Plato’s Laws, and how he uses this account to argue for a particular vision of good government very different than Plato’s “just city.”

8. How does Aristotle argue that there must be a single highest end (highest good) in human life?

9. Which three properties does Aristotle argue that a highest human end must have, and how does he argue from these three properties to the conclusion that honor and excellence cannot be our highest end.

10. Briefly explain Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean, using courage as your example.