Exams

Shortcut Link to Course Webpages

Exam 2 (20%) 9 March 2023. In-class exam.

Phil 3610 Ancient Philosophy Prof. Taylor Spring 2023 Exam 2 (20%)
No books or notes are to be used in this examination.  Answer each question to the best of your ability demonstrating your understanding of the relevant readings and philosophical problems.

  1. 40% Answer (a) and (b).
    (a) On the basis of the assigned readings and our class discussion, give an account of Plato’s Theory of Forms explaining what problems it was meant to address.
    (b) Does Socrates really prove that the life of just person is the best?  Explain in detail. NOTE: YOUR ANSWER TO (b) MUST BE PRECEDED BY A SHORT OUTLINE OF YOUR RESPONSE.
  2. 30% Two of the following three questions will be on the exam. Answer one only, no more.
       A. What is “the Paradox of Inquiry” or “Lazy Man’s Paradox”?  In answering provide a critical evaluation of Socrates’ answer to the paradox in the MENO indicating how you yourself would respond to the paradox.
       B. Outline briefly the key points in the arguments for the immortality of the soul from the PHAEDO indicating which you consider to be the most interesting and why.
       C. What do the simile of the Sun and the image of the Divided Line  in the REPUBLIC explain of Plato’s conceptions of the realities open to our grasp and the ways we attain them?  In answering be sure to include a detailed explanation of each. Also indicate just where the Divided Line is located.
  3. 30% Short Answer Questions. Four of the following will appear on the exam and you must answer three, no more, no fewer. Each is 10%.
      A. What purpose does the story of Gyges and the ring serve?
      B. What is the Divine Command Theory of Ethics and how is it related to the discussion of Plato’s Euthyphro?
      C. What are the five states and five kinds of characters that Plato discusses in Books VIII-IX?
      D.  What is the noble lie and what is its function?
      E. How does the notion that the maker of tragedies is three distances removed from the truth help us understand the Theory of Forms and its relation to the world?

Exam 1 (10%) 14 February 2023. In-class exam.

Although the questions below are short, this is a 60 min. exam but you may take up to 70 minutes. Your answers are expected to be quite substantial, well thought out and well written. Five of the six questions below will appear on the exam. You must answer three (3). Each answer must include an outline. You may bring to class and use one 3” x 5” card with your outlines written on it. You must hand in this card with your exam. This exam constitutes 10% of your course grade. In preparing for the exam, you are welcome to work together, but you each must write your own exam.

  1. What are the archē or archai for Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes? Begin your response by providing a definition of archē.
  2. What are the two forms of Pythagorianism? What are the archai of all things for the Pythagorians and how do those archai disclose the nature of reality?
  3. Is Heraclitus merely another material monist or is there something more to his teachings? Explain at length.
  4. What is the nature of ti esti (what is) and what are its chief positive and negative characteristics according to Parmenides?
  5. What is the basis for the notion that Leucippus and Democratus are replying to Parmenides? How do they reply?
  6. How do the Sophists, particularly Protagoras and Gorgias, respond to Parmenides? How do they understand the nature of reality and what the implications of their understanding?

Exam 3 Final Exam

Phil. 3610 Ancient Philosophy   Dr Taylor   Spring 2023 Exam 3 (30%) 3:30-5:30 pm 12 May
For this exam students may bring one 3”x5” index card with writing on one side only. This must turned in with the exam. Answer each question to the best of your ability demonstrating your understanding of the relevant readings and philosophical problems.

  1. 30% Aristotle studied in Plato’s Academy for some twenty years. Compose an essay on key teachings of Plato which prompted important developments in the thought of Aristotle. In your essay, (i) explain three teachings of Plato that influenced Aristotle; then (ii) indicate how each of those three teachings prompted developments in the thought of Aristotle; and, finally, (iii) conclude your essay with your own sophisticated reflections on the importance of Plato and Aristotle to the development of philosophy and the sciences which arose from philosophy. NOTE: YOUR ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION MUST BE PRECEDED BY A SHORT OUTLINE OF YOUR RESPONSE.
  2. 40% Answer only two of the following four questions. Only three will appear on the exam.
    A. What issue unites Aristotle’s thought in Metaphysics 1 ch. 1-2, Posterior Analytics 2 ch 19, and De Anima 3, ch. 4-5? Identify the key issue or issues and explain how it is considered in each of these texts. 20%
    B. How does Aristotle answer the question, What is being? Construct a thoughtful and coherent essay explaining how he understands being. 20%
    C. Is metaphysics ontology or theology for Aristotle? Explain the issues and provide your thoughtful response. 20%
    D. What is happiness for Aristotle and how is it attained? Construct a thoughtful and coherent essay explaining his account. 20%
  3. 30% Short Answer Questions (3-5 sentences). Four of the following will appear on the exam and you must answer three, no more, no fewer. Each is 10%.
    A. What are the four causes for Aristotle? Give a brief one sentence account of each.
    B. What is nature for Aristotle?
    C. What is chance for Aristotle?
    D. How are motion (kinesis) and actuality (energeia / entelecheia) related for Aristotle?