Big Ideas
Which philosopher used constant questioning to uncover truth?
Socratese
Explain what the Socratic method is
A method of questioning used to examine beliefs and definitions by exposing contradictions and pushing toward clearer understanding.
Explain Plato’s Theory of Forms in simple terms
There are perfect, unchanging realities (Forms) behind imperfect physical objects. What we see are only copies.
What school of thought does Aristotle belong to?
Empiricism
Who trusts reason more than the senses? Explain
Plato. He believes the senses deceive us and only reason accesses true knowledge.
Which philosopher believed in perfect abstract Forms?
Why was Socratese put to death?
He was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens.
What is the difference between knowledge and opinion in Plato’s philosophy?
Knowledge comes from reason and understanding the Forms; opinion comes from the senses and the changing physical world.
Explain what it means to say Aristotle is an empiricist
Knowledge begins with sensory experience and observation of the natural world
Who thinks questioning is more important than providing answers? Explain.
Socrates. He focuses on dialogue and uncovering contradictions rather than giving lectures.
Which philosopher rejected Forms and focused on studying real objects?
Aristotle
What metaphor did Socrates use for himself in "Plato's Apology of Socrates" and explain its meaning
He compared himself to a gadfly to suggest that his job was to awaken the people of Athens and force them to think
Why does Plato believe philosophers should rule?
Because philosophers understand the Forms and are therefore best equipped to rule justly.
Explain why Aristotle disagreed with Plato's theory of forms
Universals do not exist separately in a perfect, abstract realm but instead exist within particular things themselves
Compare Plato and Aristotle on how we gain knowledge.
Plato emphasizes reason and abstract Forms; Aristotle emphasizes observation and experience.
Which philosopher believed good rulers must be trained in philosophy?
Plato
Why did Socrates claim that “knowing that you don’t know” is important?
True wisdom is knowing that you don't know. It prevents false condifence and intellecutal complacency.
Explain why Plato criticizes democracy in The Republic
He believes most people are guided by appetite or opinion, not reason, so democracy risks putting unwise leaders in power
In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that the goal of human life is eudaimonia. Explain what eudaimonia means and how Aristotle thinks we achieve it.
Eudaimonia means human flourishing or living well, not just feeling happy. Aristotle believes we achieve it by practicing virtue over time (developing good habits and using reason to find the “golden mean” between extremes)
Explain the difference between rationalism and empiricism.
Rationalism holds that knowledge comes primarily from reason and innate ideas, while empiricism argues that knowledge comes mainly from sensory experience and observation.