Socrates – Background

1. When and where did Socrates live? Page 20

2. What was his academic background? Page 20

3. Who were the “Pre-Socratics? Page 20

4. I what two fundamental ways did Socrates’ approach to Philosophy differ from theirs? Page 20

a.

b.

5. Why do we call these men “Pre-Socratics?” Page 20

6. According to Socrates, what are the three most important questions? Page 20

a.

b.

c.

7. What does the book mean when it says of Socrates, “He alone knew that he did not know anything.” Page 20

8. Define the term “dialectic.” How did Socrates use dialectic in what we now call the “Socratic Method?” Page 21

a. Using this method, Socrates exposed the ignorance of who?

b. At the same time he aroused the interest of who?

9. Why was Socrates considered a disruptive and subversive influence? Page 22

10. What are the three “cherished beliefs” that underlie Socrates’ teachings? Page 22-23

a.

b.

c.