Intro to Philosophy
Who was the father of western philosophy?
Socrates
Who was Crito?
One of Socrates' oldest friends
Why is Crito visiting Socrates?
He wants Socrates to flee with him.
What does Crito do for several hours after arriving to visit Socrates?
He watches Socrates sleep peacefully
What was the name of the famous allegory that Plato/Socrates used to describe the task of philosophy and education?
The Allegory of the Cave/Plato's Cave
Who was Socrates' most famous student who wrote down the conversations Socrates had with his students?
Plato
Where is Socrates during this dialogue?
His prison cell
How does Socrates define/describe wisdom?
Wisdom is the highest form of knowledge.
What is philosophy?
love of wisdom
How does Socrates describe/define citizenship?
The duty one owes to one’s nation/city.
How does Socrates respond to Crito’s argument about the opinions of the many regarding questions of justice?
Socrates argues that you should only listen to the opinions of wise and good men.
At the end of the dialogue, what decision does Socrates ultimately make and why?
He decides to accept the punishment and not flee, so that he can have a clear conscience.
What does Socrates use to represent "the good" in the allegory?
The sun
What does Socrates decide to personify in order help prove his point to Crito?
The laws of Athens
What analogy does Socrates use to make his argument about public opinion?
-In matters of health, listening to those who know about medicine (doctors) will preserve your body
-Thus, listening to the wise man about justice will preserve your soul.
What does the Latin word for education, educere, mean?
"to lead out" (of the cave)
What is education, according to Plato/Socrates?
The turning/leading of the soul towards the good (virtue).
What is civil disobedience?
The intentional, public, non-violent breaking of unjust laws to provoke change, often by accepting the legal consequences of those actions.
Socrates claims he received a vision while he was sleeping. What did this vision reveal to him?
The time of his death, "on the third day" of his imprisonment, which would be one day later than Crito believed it would occur.
What does Socrates say about the morality of harming those who have harmed you?
He says it is never just and calls it the "morality of the many."
What were the two crimes Socrates was convicted of in his trial?
1. Disbelieving in the gods of the city
2. Corrupting the youth (by philosophizing)
What is social contract theory?
The idea that governments are based on the consent of individuals to live together under the same laws for their mutual benefit.
Name at least two of the main arguments that Crito makes against Socrates' staying and accepting his punihsment?
1. He is worried about the effect of Socrates' death on his reputation
2. He thinks Socrates is playing into the hands of his enemies
3. He accuses Socrates of neglecting his family
Why does Socrates think citizens, including himself, are obligated to obey the laws and customs of their city/country?
-They were born and raised in that place, and received all of the benefits from living there.
-People are bound to their city through a social contract.