Use ONLY the book The Great Conversation Volume 1 by Norman Melchert
Make certain every part of each of the question is answered completely and with supporting detail. Instructor said to write it like you are explaining it to a complete idiot. “Break it down, Unpack it†as much as possible.Do not contradict your statements. Number each answer as I have them numbered below. No Plagiarism..he runs this through turnit in.com and two others. one to two paragraphs each answer.
Section 1
1. Explain the key ideas of Thales. What was so revolutionary about his way of thinking? Thales claims that “all things are filled with gods”. Was this a religious claim? Explain in clear direct examples. Be sure to answer all questions and statements with support.
2. Explain the ideas of Anaximander. How is Anaximander’s thinking an improvement on the ideas of Thales? Do you think the story of science is the story of progress? Explain in clear statements and examples. Break it down clearly.
3. Parmendides claims “Thought and being are the same”. Explain what this means. From this premise, Parmenides argues that these are not, in reality, many things, time or change. Provide the argument for one of these conclusions. Do you think there is a distinction between appearance and reality? Explain.
4. Explain one of Zeno’s arguments against motion. How does this argument support Parmenides view of reality? What do you think is the best way to know the nature of reality. Justify your answer.
5. For the atomists, what does reality consist of? How do they explain coming into being and passing away? What problem does atomism pose for the idea that we have a free will? Do you think there is such a thing as free will? Explain.
6. Explain Protagoras’ saying “Man is a measure of all things”. Explain how this statement is relativistic. Do you agree with Protagoras? Justify your answer. Explain what the sophists claim to teach. Do you think the sophists were good for the Athenien society? Explain
Section 2
1. In the text, there are 4 beliefs/ideas that Socrates claims to “Knowâ€ÂÂ. Of these four beliefs, which do you think is the most implausible? Provide the argument and explain why it is unlikely to be true. Explain why you find it implausible. Of the four, which do you think is the most likely to be true? Provide the argument and justify that it is true.
2. Euthyro’s first definition of piety is “to do what I am doing now.†What is Socrates looking for in a definition? Euthyro’s second definition of piety is “what is dear to the gods.†Explain Socrates’ criticism to this definition. Does Socrates criticism still work if there is only one god?
3. What is the story of Chairephon and the Oracle of Delphi? Why was Socrates confused by what the oracle said? Why did Socrates go to see politicians, poets, and craftsmen? What did he learn about them? What kind of wisdom did Socrates discover he had? Do you agree that this is the only kind of wisdom available to humans? Justify your answers.
4. In defending against the charge of corrupting the youth, Socrates uses an analogy of horse breeders. How is this analogy effective in his defense? Explain Socrates claim that he would not corrupt the youth willingly. Do you think Socrates is guilty of corrupting the youth? Justify your answer.
5. What argument does Socrates give that we should not listen to the opinion of many? If Socrates is right, why is it unlikely that a democracy will produce qualified and effective leaders?
6. Provide Socrates’ reasoning that he should not escape from prison. If you were in Socrates position, would you try to escape from prison? Justify your answer.
Section 3
1. For Plato, what are the distinctions between opinion and knowledge? What are the “Forms”? Provide one of Plato’s arguments for the existence of the World of Forms. Why does Plato think the form of Human is more real than the humans we encounter? Explain.
2. How is justice in the soul related to justice in the community? Who should rule in the state? Explain. Do you think Plato’s politics makes for a just society? Justify. Do you think Plato’s politics is preferable to democracy? Explain.
3. Explain the Third Man criticism to Plato’s Forms. Provide Aristotle’s criticisms to Plato’s World of Forms. Do you think Plato’s metaphysics describes the nature of reality? Justify your answer.
4. Provide one of Aristotles’s arguments that there is purpose in nature. Explain Teleology. What is entelechy? How is entelechy related to teleology? Do you believe in the world of teleology? Explain.
5. What justification does Aristotle provide for happiness being the highest good or goal of humans? What does he mean by “happiness” and why does he think happiness is related to the use of reason? Do you think this reasoning is persuasive? Explain why or why not.
6. For Aristotle, what is a virtue? Explain Aristotles’s doctrine of the mean. How do we determine the mean? According to Aristotle, how does one become courageous? Explain. Do you think Aristotle’s ethics provide a good guide to the good life? Explain
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