Plato's Complete Works

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Questions and Answers

What advantage does Thrasyllus' order have for contemporary interpreters of Plato's works?

It serves as a neutral and traditional basis, offering common ground for contemporary interpreters, as any interpretative biases it may contain no longer concern writers.

Why is the division of Plato's dialogues into 'early', 'middle', and 'late' periods considered interpretative rather than purely chronological?

This division relies more on an evolving philosophical thesis regarding Plato's authorship and the development of his philosophical thought, rather than concrete facts about when each dialogue was composed.

According to the interpretative thesis, what characterizes Plato's 'early' or 'Socratic' dialogues?

They are relatively short works that depict Socrates discussing his favored philosophical topics such as morality, virtue, and the best human life.

When did Plato's authorship presumable begin according to the text?

Sometime after 399 B.C., the year of Socrates’ death, and continued until his own death some fifty years later. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the founding of the Academy in the context of Plato's philosophical development, according to the interpretative thesis?

The founding of the Academy is seen as a turning point where Plato began to develop his own independent philosophical ideas and interests, moving beyond his 'Socratic heritage'. Signup and view all the answers

The text mentions terminology such as 'early-middle' dialogues of 'transitional' ones, what does this suggest about the classification of Plato's works?

That the classification of Plato's works is not rigid, and some dialogues are considered to bridge different periods in his philosophical development. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain the difference between chronological and thematic groupings of Plato's dialogues.

Chronological groupings are based on the estimated time of composition, whereas thematic groupings organize dialogues by subject matter or philosophical arguments. Signup and view all the answers

According to the initial interpretative thesis, how did Plato shift his philosophical writing after the death of Socrates?

Plato began to introduce his own ideas and interests into these writings. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Socrates engage in dialogue with Euthyphro, and what outcome does he hope to achieve?

Socrates hopes to learn from Euthyphro's supposed knowledge of piety to defend himself against accusations. He seeks a clear definition of piety. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary flaw Socrates identifies in Euthyphro's suggestion that piety is simply what is loved by the gods?

Socrates argues that this definition is flawed because it relies on knowing what the gods love, making it a secondary quality rather than an essential standard of piety. It does not serve as an independent standard. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of 'standard' is Socrates looking for when he asks, 'What is piety?'

Socrates seeks a single, clear, unconflicting, and unambiguous standard that can independently determine which acts and persons are pious. Signup and view all the answers

How does the dialogue suggest that piety might be related to justice, particularly in serving the gods?

Euthyphro suggests that piety is justice in relation to the gods, involving serving and assisting them in their purposes, which Socrates finds enticing. Signup and view all the answers

What does Socrates claim the gods want more than anything else?

Socrates claims that the gods want individuals to become as morally good as possible. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the dialogue, can piety remain an independent virtue with its own standard for action?

The dialogue questions whether piety can remain independent, or instead be linked to broader moral virtues like justice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate outcome of Socrates's questioning of Euthyphro, and why does it end that way?

Euthyphro is unable to provide a satisfactory definition of piety and leaves the conversation, claiming he has other business to attend to. Signup and view all the answers

How does the dialogue suggest that piety may be shown simply in doing one’s best to become as morally good as possible?

By suggesting that the gods want people to become as morally good as possible, the dialogue implies piety can be demonstrated by striving for moral excellence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary justification for including the entire corpus of materials handed down from antiquity in a comprehensive collection of Plato's work, even works of questionable authenticity?

To avoid subjective judgements of a modern editor determining what is included. Only including materials handed down from antiquity ensures a broader representation of historical views. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation regarding the texts of Plato's works that have been passed down to us?

The texts are derived from the judgment of one ancient scholar, Thrasyllus, and may be influenced by his own understanding of Plato's philosophy. Signup and view all the answers

How might Thrasyllus' arrangement and editing of Plato's works have reflected a potentially biased perspective?

Thrasyllus may have made decisions based on his own understanding of Plato's philosophy and his views on how it should be organized for teaching purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What rationale does the text provide for why we can be reasonably confident that we possess all of Plato's published writings?

Thrasyllus included all the genuine works of Plato that any surviving ancient author refers to, plus some disputed ones. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two reasons why Thrasyllus' order of Plato's works may not follow a single, consistent criterion?

Thrasyllus' order appears to be determined by several sometimes conflicting criteria and may represent a unified idea about the order in which the dialogues should be read and taught. Signup and view all the answers

The dialogues Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo are presented in a specific order. What is the basis for this sequence?

They follow internal evidence establishing a chronological order for the events related in them—the 'Last Days of Socrates'. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the dialogue Euthyphro fits into the chronological sequence of Plato's works that depict the 'Last Days of Socrates'.

The conversation in Euthyphro is marked as taking place shortly before Socrates' trial. Signup and view all the answers

How do the dialogues Crito and Phaedo build upon the narratives established in Euthyphro and Apology?

Crito presents a visit to Socrates in prison, three days before his execution, which is the culminating event of the Phaedo. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize Euthyphro's justification for prosecuting his father.

Euthyphro believes that whether the victim is a stranger or family member is irrelevant. Justice demands prosecution if the killer acted unjustly, regardless of familial ties. Failing to do so results in pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Socrates want to become Euthyphro's pupil?

Socrates wants to become Euthyphro's pupil so he can use Euthyphro's expertise in religious matters to defend himself against Meletus's charges of impiety. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the implications of Euthyphro's statement that he would be 'of no use' if he didn't have accurate knowledge of piety.

This statement implies that Euthyphro views himself as an authority on religious matters, possessing special insight into what is pious and impious. He believes his value lies in this superior knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central conflict or dilemma presented in Euthyphro's situation?

The central conflict is between familial duty and religious obligation. Euthyphro must choose between honoring his father and upholding what he believes to be a divine command to prosecute injustice. Signup and view all the answers

What does Euthyphro say regarding the feelings of his family?

Euthyphro states that his father and other relatives are angry at him for prosecuting his father for murder. They believe it's impious for a son to prosecute his father, especially since the dead man was a murderer himself. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the dead servant having been a murderer, according to Euthyphro's relatives.

According to Euthyphro's relatives, the fact that the dead servant was a murderer diminishes the significance of his death and makes it less worthy of concern or justice. They believe he 'deserved' his fate. Signup and view all the answers

What does Euthyphro mean when he says his family's 'ideas of the divine attitude to piety and impiety are wrong'?

Euthyphro means that his family's understanding of what the gods consider pious (holy, righteous) and impious (unholy, unrighteous) is incorrect. He thinks they prioritize family ties over divine law. Signup and view all the answers

What key assumption underlines Euthyphro's decision to prosecute his father, and how might this assumption be challenged?

Euthyphro assumes he has accurate and complete knowledge of what is pious and impious. This assumption could be challenged by questioning the source and certainty of his knowledge, and exploring alternative interpretations of divine law or justice. Signup and view all the answers

What specific offense is Euthyphro charging his father with, and why is this action considered controversial?

Euthyphro is charging his father with murder, specifically in relation to the death of a servant. This action is controversial because a son taking legal action against his father could be regarded as impious. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the location where Socrates and Euthyphro meet, and what does this imply about the issues they are discussing?

They meet in the agora, specifically before the offices of the magistrate, where charges related to religious offenses are handled. This implies that their discussions revolve around legal and religious matters concerning piety and impiety. Signup and view all the answers

Why was murder considered a religious offense in ancient Athens, as described in the text?

Murder was considered a religious offense because it entailed 'pollution,' which, if not ritually purified, was displeasing to the gods. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain the charges against Socrates and the potential consequences he faces, as indicated in the provided text.

Socrates is facing charges of 'impiety' brought against him by younger citizens. The text indicates he is going to be condemned to death as a result of these charges. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two reasons why the meeting between Socrates and Euthyphro is considered relevant to the theme of piety in the context of the text.

Both Socrates and Euthyphro are involved in situations concerning piety: Socrates is defending himself against impiety charges, while Euthyphro is prosecuting his father for an act that could itself be seen as impious. This juxtaposition sets up a dialogue exploring the nature of piety. Signup and view all the answers

What prior information does the reader know about the outcome of Socrates' trial, according to the text, and how does this influence our understanding of his conversation with Euthyphro?

The text reveals that Socrates is going to be condemned to death. This foreknowledge casts a shadow over his conversation with Euthyphro, suggesting a sense of urgency and the high stakes involved in defining piety. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of Theaetetus in establishing a timeline of Plato's works?

Theaetetus provides a relatively firm date (around 369-365 B.C.) due to its apparent memorial to Theaetetus, linking it chronologically to Sophist and Statesman. Signup and view all the answers

What stylistic features found in Laws also appear in other dialogues, and what is the significance of this overlap?

Frequency and constancy of stylistic features. This suggests a chronological grouping, helping to identify Plato's last period of writing. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text frame murder in relation to religious and social consequences?

The text frames murder as a religious offense because it causes 'pollution,' displeasing the gods if not properly purified. Socially, it can also be seen as impious depending on the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, creating a conflict between religious duty and familial loyalty. Signup and view all the answers

Considering the context provided, what fundamental question about religious authority and personal responsibility is raised by Euthyphro's actions?

Euthyphro's actions raise the question of whether religious duty and justice supersede familial piety. It questions whether one's personal interpretation of divine law justifies taking action against a family member, even if it conflicts with social norms. Signup and view all the answers

Besides the reference to Theaetetus, what other concrete piece of information aids in establishing the chronology of Plato's writings?

That Laws was left unpublished at Plato’s death. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six works that are considered to be Plato's late compositions?

Laws, Timaeus, Sophist, Statesman, Philebus, and Critias. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does stylometry face when applied to Plato's dialogues?

It does not strongly support any particular order among a selection of six dialogues, or any ordering of non-late dialogues among themselves. Signup and view all the answers

Name four dialogues that some scholars claim form the latest group of Plato's non-late works.

Republic, Parmenides, Theaetetus, and Phaedrus. Signup and view all the answers

How does identifying the chronological order of Plato's dialogues impact our understanding of his philosophical development?

It allows us to trace the evolution of his ideas and identify shifts in his philosophical focus. Signup and view all the answers

Stylometric investigations suggest what about the relationship between Timaeus and Critias?

Stylometric investigations suggest that both are late dialogues. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Agora

Central marketplace of Athens; location of Socrates' encounter with Euthyphro.

Magistrate

Legal official who files preliminary legal charges.