Socratic Apologies
This ancient Greek city-state is where Socrates was put on trial.
What is Athens?
In Plato's Allegory of the Cave, these are projected unto the wall, these mere reflections represent the lowest level of cognitive reality - uncritical opinions and societal illusions.
What are shadows?
In the Republic, Glaucon uses the Ring of Gyges story to argue that human beings only act morally because of this external motivation
What is fear of punishment (or consequences)?
Aristotle defined this ultimate goal of human life not just as a fleeting emotion, but as human flourishing or living well. (Greek term)
What is Eudaimonia?
Deontology claims that certain actions are intrinsically wrong regardless of the outcome, because morality is based on fulfilling this.
What is duty?
It is to this student to which we owe much of our account of Socrates, as he wrote dialogues reimagining the philosophical debates and discussions of his late teacher.
Who is Plato?
As opposed to the images they experience in the cave, the world above is full of this.
What is reality?
The central puzzle of the Euthyphro asks whether the gods love this virtue because it is inherently good, or if it is good simply because the gods love it.
What is piety?
Aristotle’s "Golden Mean" places virtue directly between these two extreme bad states.
What are excess and deficiency?
This type of consequentialism argues that the right thing to do is whatever produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
What is Utilitarianism?
Socrates argued that pursuing wealth, power, and reputation is foolish compared to caring for this ultimate state of your inner self.
What is the soul? (*or goodness)
Having achieved enlightenment, the philosopher recognizes the moral obligation to descend back into the darkness of the cave to guide the others out, even though they will likely do this to him.
What is kill (or mock) him?
When Euthyphro defines piety as doing what pleases the gods, Socrates points out this logical flaw: since the gods fight over what is good, an action could simultaneously be both pious and this.
What is impious?
According to Aristotle, moral virtues aren't born in us naturally; they are developed through this repeated daily practice.
What is habit?
Consequentialism judges whether an action is morally right or wrong based on this aspect of the action.
What are consequences (or outcomes/results)?
Arguing that self-reflection is essential for a virtuous and meaningful life, Socrates stated that "the [blank] life is not worth living." (fill in the blank)
What is "unexamined?"
Representing the Form of the Good, this ultimate celestial body gives light, truth, and existence to everything in the intelligible world.
What is the Sun?
The Ring of Gyges raises the question of Psychological Egoism, which claims that human beings are always ultimately motivated by this factor?
This distinguishing factor is why a good human life involves virtue rather than mere nutrition, growth, sensation, and movement.
What is reason?
Deontology, Consequentialism, and Virtue Ethics are the three major branches of this type of ethical theory, which seeks to establish standards or rules for determining what is right and wrong.
What is Normative Ethics?
During his trial, Socrates argued that his accusers could do him no harm, for a good person cannot be harmed by a worse person, because true harm only comes from this.
What being unjust (or wronging others/committing injustice)?
Plato uses the allegory to argue that true political leaders should not seek power for personal ambition, but must be forced to rule because they alone possess this.
What is knowledge of the Good (or truth/wisdom)?
One modern response to Socrates’ dilemma is Divine Command Realism, which argues that God doesn't arbitrarily pick moral rules, but rather moral goodness is rooted in this fundamental aspect of God.
What is God's nature (or essence)?
Of the four cardinal virtues, this intellectual virtue is the one from which philosophy gets its name.
What is wisdom?
Hedonism, a foundational idea within Utilitarianism, claims that this experience is the ultimate intrinsic good and highest goal of human life.
What is pleasure?