Classics of Western Philosophy Test 1

Socrates' Contributions to Philosophy

• Shifted focus from external knowledge to introspection and the mind.
• Introduced the concept of universal definitions, such as the quest for justice in "The Republic."
• Established the Socratic method, emphasizing inquiry through successive questioning.
• Viewed as the foundational figure of Western philosophy, influencing Plato and Aristotle.

Socrates' Mission in Athens

• Sought to challenge Athenians to pursue the perfection of their souls.
• Oracle declared he was the wisest, prompting him to question those perceived as wise.
• Considered himself a divine gadfly, stimulating the citizens to self-reflection and ethical considerations.

Rejection of Crito's Proposal

• Declined to escape from jail, emphasizing morality over public perception.
• Argued that one must never commit wrong, even in response to harm.
• Believed escaping would imply guilt and validate the court's judgment against him.
• Engaged in an imagined dialogue with the laws of Athens, affirming the necessity to obey them as part of a social contract.
• Highlighted that virtue and justice are paramount, and one cannot possess them by breaking laws.
• Concerned about the implications of exile on his relationships and philosophical life.

Plato's Divided Line

• Divides knowledge into four levels based on clarity and truth: noesis, dianoia, pistis, and eikasia.
• Upper segment represents Knowledge and the intellectual realm, while the lower segment signifies Opinion and sensory experience.
• The longer section denotes a deeper understanding, aligning with intellectual pursuits.
• Philosophers focus their attention on the higher realms of noesis and dianoia, pursuing true knowledge.
• Philodoxers, or lovers of opinion, remain in the lower sections, concerned with sensory appearances rather than true understanding.

Dive deep into the contributions of Socrates, the foundational figure of Western philosophy. This quiz explores how Socrates shifted the focus of philosophy inward, emphasizing the mind and the search for universal definitions, such as justice in 'The Republic'. Test your understanding of his philosophical reorientations.