PART II: SOCRATES

01/23 Socrates Definition of Philosophy

• Readings:
  • Required:
    • Plato, Symposium RAPG p.282
    • Plato, Apology RAPG p. 115
    • Plato, Meno, 80a-80d, RAPG p. 211
    • Plato, Theatetus, 148e-151d (find in the library or read it Here)
  • Recommended:
    • Cohen, "Plato", RAGP, p. 89-96
    • Nails, ``Socrates'',The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Edward N.Zalta(ed.), url=http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates
    • Sarah Broadie, ``The Sophists and Socrates'', CCGRP p.73-97

• Homework 1: Study Questions
  1. What are our sources about the historical Socrates? Do we know much about him?
  2. Socrates, as a mythical figure, is said to be atopos. Explain what this term means.
  3. What is the so-called "Socrates'irony"?
  4. Explain why the philo-sopher can not be wise on the basis of Diotima's discourse ( Symposium).
  5. In the Theatetus, Socrates likens himself to a midwife. Explain in what sense.

• Course Notes: Chapter 3

01/25 Socrates's definition of philosophy, foll. -- Socrates' Ethics

• Readings:
• Plato, Apology again
• Study Question: What are the main ethical principles that Socrates assumes to be true in his defense ?

01/30 Socrates's Method of Definition

• Readings: Euthyphro RAPG p. 97-114.

• Homework 2:
  Write an outline of Euthyphro, 7a (Definition of piety as is what is god-loved) to 11c . Your outline should Distinguish the structure of the argument, that is,
  1. distinguish its different parts, or steps of the argument,
  2. distinguish, in each different step, the main idea that contributes to the conclusion,
  3. determine how this main idea:
     • is established,
     • supports the conclusion.
  I recommend that you work on the basis of Cynthia Freeland's outline of the Euthyphro. This is kind of work I ask for, but of course, you are expected to go into more details concerning the targeted passage.

• Course Notes: Chapter 4