Chapter 6 Soctrates 7/25/12

1. Discuss what is meant by the "Socratic method". The Soractic method is instead of teaching the "pupil", asking a series of questions to make the "pupil" question themselves, therefore finding the answer themselves. 2. Suppose it were discovered that Soctrates secretly violeated many of his teachings. How would this affect your attitude toward his philosophy? Which do you see as more important, the man or the ideas? Explain. He probably did secretly violate some of his teachings. His ideals and what he thought was the right way to go about things, could have easily conflicted with pure human nature to do others. It does not make his philosophy any less valuble. I see the ideas as more important. If your "ideas" and your way of life aren't what make you, then you are just an empty shell carrying about things. 3. Explain how Soctrates used his physical appearance to support his general theory of virtue. Soctrates' physical apparence was said to have been very ugly. Instead of taking on that title, he would simply explain that "though my lips are larger, they are softer and better for kissing". On the other note, he also stated that a mans apperance does not have any value, just who the man is inside.

4. Explain Socrates' views of self-control. Reconstruct his argument in your own words. Socrates viewed self control as a battle of will. Everyone has the will to refrain from doing something. And if you didn't, you should strengthen your ideas of right and wrong until you have the power of self-control to do right. Self control also applied to not being overly concerned, but concerned enough with your health, fitness, and so on. 5. What is irony? Give one or two examples. Explain its function in the Socratic method.

Irony works on two levels. The literal level and the hidden level. Socrates would incorporate irony into many of his arguments and debates, just for the heck of watching his oppenents' gears turn. 6. Analyze Socrates' clain that "the unexamined life is not worth living." What did he mean? Was he correct? Why or why not? He meant if you have not examined who you are and what you stand for, what is the point of you living in the first place? He is neither correct or incorrect, though the person who has examined their life will have a more understanding one. 7. Fully explain what Socrates meant when he said that virtue is knowledge. What kind of knowledge? He explained that "virtue" is a special kind of knowledge "techne" that combines techincal understanding with the skill and character to apply that knowledge. In other words, if you not only know how to fix the plumbing, but can go out and fix it as well, you are very virtuous in Socrates' teachings. 8. What is the function of ignorance in Socratic philosophy. Ignorance encourages the search for knowledge and understanding.

9. How are Socrates' ideas about wealth and possessions connected to other aspects of his teaching? His lowly value for wealth and possessions contributes to his ideas about selfcontrol and willpower. He did not believe these things were nessassary for the human mind to "survive". 10. Socrates thought it very important not to teach for money. Why? What kind of teaching did he mean? was he right? Can this principle be extended to priests, rabbis, and preachers? Explain His teaching was helping other people find their understanding. He thought it against his own teachings to ask for any sort of money. That principle can not be extended to priests, rabbis, and preachers. In their adorned churches asking for donations, it does not apply. 11. What individual or group (if any) provides a Socratic function for our society. Explain. If none, explain that. In the senario where a teacher would teach without pay, and the student would not pay to be taught, it would provide a Socratic function.