6. Socrates

1. Pick one of the quotes from Socrates (“The Words of Socrates”) and agree or disagree: question Socrates!

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” –Socrates

I agree with Socrates because I as well think wisdom begins in wonder. If you have wisdom you must think about it. You wonder in order to have wisdom. You think if you are right about your wisdom and that leads to wondering. Wondering if your correct or wrong, and eventually it is proven correct or incorrect. So I agree with Socrates, wisdom begins in wonder.

2. Go to www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.htm. Read Plato’s definition of the “Nature of Justice” and the “Ideal Republic.” What is justice to Plato?

Plato’s defines justice as whatever the strongest decide it is, and that the strong decide that whatever is in their best interest is just it. In other words, justice is the best thing for a person to know. I think Plato is explaining is that we have our different opinions and we all know what is best for ourselves.


3. What do you think about Plato’s ideal republic (What are positive elements of it? Negative?)?

I think about Plato’s ideal republic is basically dividing people into groups in which they are best at. Part of me thinks it’s somewhat unfair and then it’s not. Plato is dividing people into about three groups: people who are not overly bright, or strong, or brave, are suited in farming, smithing, building, etc. People who are somewhat bright, strong, and especially courageous are suited to defensive and policing professions. People who are extraordinarily intelligent, virtuous, and brave, are suited to run the state itself. The positive facts about this, is that the people who are intelligent do the best at their job, while those who aren’t as intelligent do what they do best. Though, for people who aren’t as bright, might feel upset or judge because of their intelligence and that would be a negative.

4. What is your vision of an ideal state or republic?

My vision of an ideal state or republic that when Plato put people into groups, like what people are best based on their strengths. Is a good idea to me because if we had a not so bright or strong person ruling our government, it wouldn’t be as strong as someone who is very intelligent and much stronger. It’s basically the facts of life. I don’t considering it judging someone but we all want what is best for our economy.

5. The Allegory of the Cave argues that the only thing standing in the way of knowledge is our knowledge insistence that the visual universe is reality. What does this mean?

I think it means that the visual universe is a lot better in reality because we can see and learn for ourselves, and understand the truth. In many situations, we think that something is what it seems, when eventually we find out that it isn’t. Now if everything were based upon intelligible, we would believe anything and everything that someone had told us. If people don’t visualize, that will not help us from learning in what is correct. Visual is helping us everyday. Without it, we wouldn’t know what was right from wrong, and everything would collapse in its own way. So I think the visual universe is the best.

5. SPARTA VS. ATHENS

Question 1. If you were a young teenage girl of the citizen class, in which city-state would you rather live in? Why?

I would be a young teenage girl in Sparta because the woman/girls there are independent and are able to have an education; unlike Athens woman they received very little education. Sparta girls were taught in reading, writing, gymnastics, and they were able to participate in sports. They were treated more as equals. Athens girls had no political power and they only learned how to weave and spin. I would rather be a Sparta girl because they had more rights then Athens. More education, they were independent and girls need their rights too.

Question 2. If you were a slave, in which would you rather live? Why?

I think I would be a slave in Sparta, because they don’t seem as harsh as Athens slaves. Plus, slaves in Sparta did all the nonmilitary work.

Question 3. If you were a boy of the citizen class, in which would you rather live? Why?

I would rather be an Athens boy because they had more education then Sparta boys. Sparta boys just went to the military while Athens boys went to the military but they as well got an education. I think education was important and the military was important as well. But I think everyone should have some kind of education, not just military education.

Question 4. If you were a young solider, in which would you rather live? Why?

Sparta soldiers are a lot more serious about winning the wars, and protecting their home. That’s why they took kids at the age of seven into the military. Their military was a lot stronger and most feared fighters on land. All of their education focused on military strategies and war. The Athens soldiers didn’t focus on military as much as the Sparta soldiers had.

Question 5. If you were a very wealthy person of the citizen class, in which would you rather live in? Why?

I would rather be a wealthy person in Athens because Spartans weren’t allowed to own silver or gold while the Athens were allowed too. Spartans were taught not to like luxuries. If I was a wealthy person in Athens, I would be able to own nice things, and nice houses and own silver and gold.

Question 6. Decide to represent either Athens or Sparta and debate, which is the best
place to live.

I would represent the Spartans. They have decent rules toward the woman and they are respected unlike the Athens woman. Even though they are more focused on military, they have that strategy in winning a war. I think the Spartans have more respect for people then the Athens do. So I would represent Sparta rather then Athens.