Philosophy Socrates defend himself against the charge of impiety
The Things That Carried
August 3, 2017Mandatory response: reflect on your writing habits. Where do you do your best work? What tools are helpful when writing? What time of day or under what conditions (at home, in the library, at a cafe) do you write best? Analyze what you think these preferences say about you a writer and learner.
August 3, 2017Philosophy Socrates defend himself against the charge of impiety
a. In what specific way does Socrates defend himself against the charge of impiety, the charge of not believing in the gods in which the city believes? That is, what does Socrates get Meletus to agree to and by what steps does Socrates show that Meletus’ subsequent agreements contradict his initial agreement?
b. What reason is there for saying that Socrates’ cross-examination of Meletus on the charge of impiety fails to address directly the charge against him?
c. How does Socrates’ specific argument against Meletus contribute to his defense?
d. Do you think Socrates’ general way of defending himself (not just against the charge of impiety but in general) was a good one?
Part II: Answer each part of the two following questions. This part of the essay is worth 30 points and each answer should be no more than a paragraph.
1. What does the Delphi oracle proclaim? Why does Socrates find what it proclaims surprising? How does he “test” the oracle? What does he finally decide the Oracle must mean?
2.. What role does the relative mean play in Aristotle’s account of how people become virtuous (good)? Give examples of the relative mean. How does the notion of a relative mean operate in the activity of a craftsperson (like a doctor or a trainer or a shoemaker)?
