Socrates — Questions and answers

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In the Heliaia, the large Athenian law court in 399 BCE, who were the accusers Socrates faced when he stood before the jury of 501 citizens?

Choices

  1. Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon ✓
  2. Plato, Alcibiades, and Crito
  3. The Oracle at Delphi and Chaerephon
  4. The Sophists and the archon

Answer: Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon

From page 1

What famous reply did the Oracle at Delphi give to Socrates's friend Chaerephon when Chaerephon asked if anyone was wiser than Socrates?

Choices

  1. The Oracle replied that Socrates was not wise at all.
  2. The Oracle said that no man was wiser than Socrates. ✓
  3. The Oracle stated that Chaerephon himself was the wisest.
  4. The Oracle refused to answer Chaerephon's question.

Answer: The Oracle said that no man was wiser than Socrates.

From page 2

What was the main purpose of Socrates's distinctive method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method, when he questioned people in Athens?

Choices

  1. To show everyone how smart Socrates was compared to them.
  2. To expose contradictions in people's beliefs and show limits of their knowledge. ✓
  3. To prove that young men were always right about courage.
  4. To teach people how to avoid answering difficult questions.

Answer: To expose contradictions in people's beliefs and show limits of their knowledge.

From page 3

According to the text, which two influential young men were among Socrates's dedicated followers, drawn by his intellectual rigor?

Choices

  1. Meletus and Anytus
  2. Plato and Alcibiades ✓
  3. Chaerephon and Crito
  4. Sophists and the archon

Answer: Plato and Alcibiades

From page 4

How was Socrates different from the Sophists, who taught rhetoric and persuasion for money?

Choices

  1. Socrates also charged money, but he taught virtue instead of rhetoric.
  2. Socrates claimed to teach nothing and charged no money, helping others discover truth. ✓
  3. Socrates taught rhetoric, but he only charged a very small fee.
  4. Socrates agreed with the Sophists about the best way to teach virtue.

Answer: Socrates claimed to teach nothing and charged no money, helping others discover truth.

From page 5

Why did established figures like Anytus and Meletus see Socrates as a threat to Athens after the Peloponnesian War?

Choices

  1. Socrates wanted to lead the Athenian army in another war.
  2. Socrates was selling secrets to Athens's enemies.
  3. Socrates's questioning of authority and tradition was perceived as a threat. ✓
  4. Socrates was trying to become the new archon of Athens.

Answer: Socrates's questioning of authority and tradition was perceived as a threat.

From page 6

What formal charges did Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon present against Socrates to the Athenian archon?

Choices

  1. Socrates was accused of stealing money and leaving Athens without permission.
  2. Socrates was accused of teaching mathematics and poetry to young citizens.
  3. Socrates was accused of 'impiety' and 'corrupting the youth'. ✓
  4. Socrates was accused of supporting the Sophists and their teachings.

Answer: Socrates was accused of 'impiety' and 'corrupting the youth'.

From page 7

Why did Socrates refuse his friend Crito's offer to help him escape from prison in Athens?

Choices

  1. Socrates did not want to leave his family and students behind.
  2. Socrates believed escaping would be an act of injustice against Athens's laws. ✓
  3. Socrates thought Crito's plan for escape was not good enough.
  4. Socrates preferred to stay in prison because it was quieter.

Answer: Socrates believed escaping would be an act of injustice against Athens's laws.

From page 8

What was Socrates's final request to his friend Crito after drinking the hemlock?

Choices

  1. Socrates asked Crito to write down all his teachings.
  2. Socrates asked Crito to take care of his family.
  3. Socrates reminded Crito that they owed a cock to Asclepius. ✓
  4. Socrates asked Crito to tell everyone he was innocent.

Answer: Socrates reminded Crito that they owed a cock to Asclepius.

From page 9

How was Socrates's legacy secured and made foundational to Western philosophy, even though he left no writings of his own?

Choices

  1. Socrates's ideas were written down by the Athenian archon.
  2. Socrates's legacy was secured through the dedicated efforts of his student, Plato, who recorded his teachings. ✓
  3. Socrates taught his ideas to his children, who then passed them down verbally.
  4. Socrates's ideas were spread by the Sophists he debated.

Answer: Socrates's legacy was secured through the dedicated efforts of his student, Plato, who recorded his teachings.

From page 10