republic book x

1. At 598d--599a, Socrates speaks about people who believe that the poets know all the crafts. Why do they believe this?

   Because the poets write about these crafts, therefore they must know about them.

   Because the poets write about these crafts, and write about them well and beautifully, and so therefore they must have knowledge of them.

   Because the people judging the poets (and claiming they have knowledge) are ignorant themselves, and can’t distinguish between knowledge, ignorance and imitation.

   1 and 2

   2 and 3

   None of the above.

QUESTION 3

1. Based on what you have read, and what we have discussed in class, what distinguishes the good and decent sort of man from the worse kind of man in Republic Book X?

   1.

   The decent man is ruled by reason, the worse kind of man is ruled by desire.

   2.

   The decent man is ‘measured’ in his response to pain and resists pain, while the worse kind gives in to excessive emotion

   3.

   The decent man will only live in the perfect state, while the worse kind of man lives in every sort of state.

   4.

   1 and 2

   5.

   2 and 3

   6.

   None of the above.

QUESTION 4

1. Socrates says that poetry appeals to and satisfies the desires of the lowest part of the soul. What does this do to the soul?

   1.

   It weakens the best part.

   2.

   It strengthens the lowest, desiring part.

   3.

   It destroys the courageous, spirited part.

   4.

   1 and 2

   5.

   All of the above.

QUESTION 5

1. At 600d, what argument does Socrates use to show that Homer is unable to educate anyone?

   1.

   If Homer were able to educate people, he would have written books himself rather than performing.

   2.

   If Homer had known how to educate, he would have had many followers and companions who loved and honored him.

   3.

   If Homer had known how to educate, he would have been able to speak beautifully.

   4.

   All of the above.

   5.

   None of the above.