Meno and the Phaedo (write 4 pages) DUE IN 9 HOURS
1.Explain Meno’s paradox in the Meno. How is recollection seen as a solution to the paradox?Is it successful in resolving the paradox?
Who exactly do you think recollects and what is recollection about? (see the Scott article).
2.Discuss the role of the forms in the Meno and the Phaedo. What problem are they meant to solve? Are they effective in solving the problem? Why or why not? (cf. Irwin article).
3.At Phaedo 68b and following Socrates attempts to show that the philosopher who is practicing for death is the one who has true virtues. Explain his argument. Is the argument entirely self-centered? Can one have all the virtues (including justice say) if one is entirely self-centered? Does Socrates effectively differentiate the philosopher’s virtues from the false virtues?
4.Much of the Phaedo is an attempt by Socrates to console his friends that death is not bad and that he will survive (cf. 63e-64a). The philosopher more than others frees himself from his body and so attains pure knowledge (65a). Later Socrates discusses a myth describing what happens to the soul in the afterlife (cf. 107c ff). Bostock raises a general problem with Plato’s account. The problem is this: does the philosopher have enough of a soul to “survive”. Survival is crucial for Socrates to reassure his friends but does his account allow for survival? Compare the survival of the ordinary/ or bad person and the philosopher. (cf. Bostock p. 420ff).
0 comments