Deck 1: The Nature of Philosophy

Question 1

Continue the line of questioning in either Dialogue I or Dialogue II by analyzing the meaning of a basic philosophical term.

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Consider the example of contradictory fundamental beliefs, in the paragraph that begins "The third benefit which the study of philosophy can confer . . ." Explain why belief in free will conflicts with belief in causal laws of nature. Can you resolve the apparent conflict? If so, explain how. If not, explain why not.

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

A philosophical question is usually quite vague.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A philosophical question is usually quite general.

Question 5

A reasonable belief is justified by reasons.

Question 6

A reasonable belief

A) is a belief that many people have.
B) is a belief that no one else has.
C) is a belief that supports many other beliefs.
D) is a belief for which a good reason can be given.

Question 7

A highly general belief

A) concerns a narrow class of things.
B) concerns only very important things.
C) concerns a large class of things.
D) is likely to be ordinary.

Question 8

Why does Russell think that the "practical" person has got things wrong about the value of philosophy? Do you agree?

Question 9

Take a philosophical question considered somewhere else in this book and explain how it illustrates Russell's view about the value of philosophy.

Question 10

According to Russell, many of those who doubt philosophy are blind to the importance of things good for the body.

Question 11

The value of philosophy lies in goods of the

A) body.
B) mind.
C) heart.
D) heavens.

Question 12

Some people think that philosophy is

A) trivial.
B) useless.
C) an impossible source of knowledge.
D) All of the above

Question 13

Why does Socrates say that he is not afraid of death? Why is he hopeful that death is good? What do you think about what he says?

Question 14

What does Socrates mean when he says that "an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live"? Do you agree? Explain.

Question 15

Socrates claims to be an oracle.

Question 16

Socrates thinks that he should be given free meals for the rest of his life.

Question 17

Plato is in the audience at the trial.

Question 18

Socrates is on trial for

A) Killing a horse.
B) Robbing the Delphic oracle.
C) Being impious and corrupting the youth.
D) Charging for lessons in oration.

Question 19

According to Socrates, he has a

A) large family.
B) divine sign that speaks to him.
C) place in heaven.
D) convincing defense.

Question 20

Summarize the reasons Crito gives for thinking that Socrates should escape. Do you find them persuasive? Explain.

Question 21

Do you think that Socrates should escape? Explain.

Question 22

Crito wants Socrates to escape from jail.

Question 23

Socrates wants to escape but can't afford it.

Question 24

Socrates has sons in Athens.

Question 25

Socrates claims that it is never good for one to do injustice.

Question 26

Socrates thinks that the laws of Athens are unjust.

Question 27

Socrates claims that it would be just to escape.

Question 28

Socrates claims that the laws of Athens

A) are unjust.
B) have just authority over him.
C) are always justly enforced.
D) Both a and b

Question 29

What is Socrates' attitude toward his own burial? Why does he have this attitude?

Question 30

Why doesn't Socrates want to postpone drinking the hemlock?

Question 31

Socrates asks his friends to stop crying.

Question 32

Socrates has two daughters and a grown son.