Life of Socrates Flashcards
(16 cards)
Who was Socrates
Socrates (469-399 BC : a Greek philosopher considered to be the
founder of Western philosophy whose life and teaching have been
preserved b his contemporaries particularly his student Plato.
The Socratic dialogue
His method was to keep questioning
people, forcing them to give reasons
for a belief, analysing key terms,
searching for correct definitions and
finding out the truth.
What was Socrates’ definition of knowledge
Socrates believed that true knowledge involves understanding the fundamental nature of things and not just having accurate opinions and beliefs. However a criticism is that there are something which we know e.g. I know that Whitgift school is located in Croydon as it says on google maps.
Logical fallacy Straw man
Straw Man
—An unfair description of the views of your
opponent.
“When my opponent says he wants us to take
responsibility for climate change, he means he wants us all
to sell our cars and sit around in the dark hugging each
other to keep warm.”
Logical fallacy ad hominem
Ad Hominem
—Where someone attacks the arguer as a
person rather than talking about their argument.
“How can
you trust what he says? He’s a politician and all politicians
are liars.”
Logical fallacy leading question
Leading Question
—When someone asks something to
which they obviously know the answer, or the question
clearly indicates the answer being sought.
“Do you have
your homework with you?” “You do have your homework
with you, don’t you?”
What makes for argumentation
Good argumentation hinges on several key elements: clarity, logical structure, relevant evidence, and the ability to engage with and address counterarguments
Two reasons why Socrates should have escaped prison
Socrates has been put in prison on unfair charges. He is therefore not breaking his oath to Athens by escaping justice - it is an injustice that he was put on trial in the first place. Also if Socrates runs away, he will be able to continue to challenge people about what they know
Two reasons why Socrates shouldn’t have escaped
Two reasons why Socrates shouldn’t have escaped is that if Socrates did escape and was caught he could imagine them saying Socrates we have let you live here for your whole life and we cared for you and this is how your are repaying us. The other reason is that Socrates said that if he ran away and escaped prison then he would not be dying for his cause which would make him a coward.
Who was Glaucon
Glaucon is the older brother of Plato and a philosopher
Who was Crito
Crito was a friend of Socrates
Who are the Sophists
The sophists are a group of people who used bad argument techniques to win arguments e.g. straw man Socrates did not like them as he didn’t like them cheating in arguments.
What happens in the discussion Socrates has about Justice
Socrates takes apart each definition as with the definition of Cephalus as he says if I tell the truth and give my things that I borrow back that is Justice. However Socrates says if there were a mad men and you borrowed his axe and he wanted it back would you give it. Then he took apart Thrasymachus definition as he said whatever is in the interests of those in power and who are stronger. If an action was advantageous to those in power, the they should engage in it. However Socrates said what if one of those in charge makes a mistake as all humans make mistakes.
Define Theology and Philosophy
Theology means ‘Study of God.’ Theologians use evidence and the ‘clues’ that God has put in the world and within us to help ask and answer questions. - Philosophy literally means ‘Love of wisdom.’ Philosophers use only their reasoning skills and evidence in the world to help ask and answer questions.
Give two reasons why theology and philosophy is important
Theology and philosophy is important as it allows us to get a deeper understanding into our place in the universe and it allows us to have a desire to always think critically
Explain why everyone is entitled to their own opinion is wrong
As some people may believe that racism or sexism is right and is good however it is obviously not another reason why it may be wrong is a child some parents may have had stricter values not allowing their own opinion to be expressed freely.
