Study questions for The Trial and Death of Socrates, selections 1 -3 .

1. Make sure you look up any unusual word/historical references which are new to you or which you dont understand.

2. How would you describe Socrates attitude before the trial? 3. What does Socrates mean by living well and living pleasantly? Do you agree with his position? Why/why not? 4. How does Socrates justify his position that the gods are in control of our lives? 5. Using examples from the text to justify your position, answer the following: The background material in selection one was taken largely from a website by an attorney studying the trial of Socrates. He maintains that No record of the prosecutions argument against Socrates survives. Is that true? 6. Pay special attention to 14 Outline the argument. Does it all make sense? Are there any leaps, points you dont understand? There are many references to the art of reasoning. What exactly was it? Can you define it in your own words and bolster your definition from text either by citing words which seem to define art of reasoning or by basing your description on how in actually works in 14? Why do you think people were so interested in acquiring this art and why were some teachers able to command high fees for teaching it?

7. Are there other examples of the art of reasoning in selection three? Where? Who is talking? 8. What moral issues are raised in the readings? (Hint, I could at least ten!)

9. Socrates was accused of promoting harsh treatment of ordinary people. Besides Xenophons assertions to the contrary ( 20), is there any other evidence in the readings that this accusation is false? If there is such evidence, who offers it and where? 10. What about Socrates attitude to the family? What was he getting at? Do you agree? Why/why not?