PHILOSOPHY 112

HOMEWORK #4

THE REPUBLIC

1. 336b-341a: What is Thrasymachusʼ definition of Justice (Morality) on 338c?

2. 341a-343: What is Clitophonsʼ point about an expert ruler?

3. 343a-344c: According to Thrasymachus, why is a just person worse off than an injustice one?

4. 352e-354c: How does Socrates response concerning function serve to counter Thrasymachus?

5. 357a-d: List the three kinds of Good mentioned by Glaucon.

6. 358e-359c: What does Glaucon say about the origin of Justice (Morality), and why it is practiced? What kind of theory of justice is this?

7. 359d-362c: What point is being made with the story of Gyges ring? Briefly summarize the thought experiment that Glaucon proposes to Socrates about the two rings.

8. 369a-417b: Beginning the Socratic Answer: Explain the ʻnoble lieʼ and the needs of any (ideal) society, its division, how ones position is to be determined.

9. 427d-434d: List and describe the four virtues. How do they function in the state? How do they function in the individual? What makes a just (moral) society?

10. 11. 12.

13. 14.

434d-442e: List and describe in detail the three parts of the soul.
473d-480a: List the characteristics given of the Philosopher and those of the Non-Philosopher.

502c-509c: What does Socrates say about the nature of the Good, and how it is analogous to the image of the sun?

509c-511e: Explain in detail the four stages of cognition (of awareness) and the objects of awareness as described on the dividing line (509d). (Consult handout)

514a-521b: Using the Cave Allegory as your guide, explain the changes in our awareness as we make the journey out of the cave and into the light. (Consult handout)

PHILOSOPHY 112

HOMEWORK #4

15. 16. 17. 18.

19.

20.

21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

PARMENIDES

127b-128e: What points are Zeno and Parmenides making at the beginning of the dialogue? 129a-130a: What does Socrates say about the Form?

130b-131a: What kinds of things are and are not Forms?

131a-132a: How does Socrates account for how things share-in the Form? What is Parmenides objection?

132d-133d: How does Socrates restate the issue at 132d? What is Parmenidesʼ reply at 133a-d?

TIMAEUS

28a-29d: What is the distinction between being and becoming? How are they linked to the creation of the world?

29e-31a: Why was the world made to resemble a living thing? 31b-34b: What is the composition of the worldʼs body? 34b-36d: What is the composition of the worldʼs soul? 36e-37c: Summarize the union of the soul and body.

37d: Explain the creation of time.