Suggested Ancient Greek Phil Paper Topics 2

Please revisit my guidelines to writing a paper before starting on this assignment!

1. Substance Dualism in the Phaedo
Explain and evaluate Socrates argument for the distinction between body and soul in the Phaedo.
You do not need to address his arguments for the immortality of the soul, even though you may
draw on some aspects of these arguments in your critical assessment of his view.
2. Thrasymachus on Justice
Explain and critically evaluate Thrasymachus conception of justice (Book I). Briefly explain how
Thrasymachus method of argumentation differs from Socrates, and why this matters. You may
also draw on Glaucons challenge (Book II).
3. Justice, Virtue and Happiness
Throughout the Republic, Socrates claims that each class of citizens in the Kallipolis will be as
happy as its nature allows. Explain and critically evaluate his arguments that a city that embodies
Socrates conception of justice is a perfectly happy city. In developing your critique, you may wish
to draw on the three conceptions of the most pleasant life (581c6) in Book IX.
4. Tripartite Soul
In Republic IV, Socrates argues that the soul has parts. Explain and critically evaluate his
argument. You may also draw on Socrates account of the soul in other books of the Republic (esp.
book IX) in developing your expository part and critique.
5. Weakness of the Will
In the Meno, Socrates argued that everyone desires good things, insofar as everyone wants to be
happy. But in the Republic IV, Socrates seems to acknowledge that sometimes we dont desire good
things at all, and act on these value-blind desires against our better judgment. Explain and critically
evaluate his argument. You may also draw on the material from Book IX.

6. Philosopher Kings and Queens

On Socrates view, philosophers are the only ones fit to rule, because they are the only ones who
have knowledge. Using the Divided Line analogy, or the Allegory of the Cave, explain 1) why
philosophers are in the best position to rule; 2) why they will go down/back in order to rule; 3)
whether they would ever make mistakes, and if so, why.