Study Guide – History of Western Philosophy I

How do mythology and religion explain the natural phenomena that occur around us in the world? What is different about the way in which philosophy and science do this?

Explain the difference between teleology and mechanism. What are some of the ways in which teleology is present in Oedipus Tyrannus?

In the Euthyphro, for what crime is Euthyphro prosecuting his father, and what is questionable about his father’s guilt?

What are the first four definitions of piety offered in the Euthyphro? What do they teach us about formulating definitions? What are Socrates’ criticisms of the first three definitions?

As suggested in the Apology, what is sophistry and how does it differ from philosophy?

In the Apology, what are the charges of Socrates’ early and later accusers, and why is he more concerned about the early accusers?

What does the oracle say about Socrates? How does Socrates go about testing the oracle? What does he learn about human wisdom by doing this, and what negative consequences do these actions have for him?

What penalty does Socrates initially propose for himself? How does he justify his proposal?

Describe our common notion of justice.

In the Republic, what is Polemarchus’ definition of justice? What is Socrates’ main criticism of this definition? What is Thrasymachus’ definition of justice, and how does Socrates criticize it through an examination of the nature of crafts? How does Socrates criticize Thrasymachus’ claim that complete injustice is more profitable than complete justice?