PLATO, LAST DAYS OF SOCRATES, PT. 2
CRITO & PHAEDO (a)
pp. 76-92; 109-145

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Why was Socrates in prison for such a long time before his execution?

2. Why did Socrates think that suicide was not an acceptable way of ending one’s life?

3. How are Philosophers "of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death" (64a)?

4 .Why does Socrates think that cutting oneself off from their physical senses will bring one closer to truth?

5. Recount Socrates’ argument regarding the dead coming from the living and the living from the dead.

6. What does Socrates mean by saying that all knowledge comes through recollection?

7.  Why does Socrates think that we must have obtain our understanding of such concepts as equality, beauty and goodness, before birth (75d)?

8. In what sense do such terms exist?

9. Explain Socrates’ proof of the afterlife.

10. In Socrates’ view, how does one prepare oneself for death (81a)?

11. Why are pleasures rivets (83d)?