Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
Exam on Plato and the Origins of Greek Philosophy
Preparation Sheet
Know how to succinctly define the following philosophical terms and how they relate to
the practices of philosophy.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Physis
Mythos
Paideia
Agon
Arête
Eros
Eidos
Themes Covered in the Exam
The nature of a philosophical definition
The goal and methods of the conversation in The Republic
The characteristics of the different cities in the Republic
The structure of virtuous soul
The structure of the just city
How cities reflect human nature and vice-versa
Plato’s metaphysics (The Good and Eros)
How the analogies of the Sun, the Line, and the Cave relate
Key Passages
352b-362c; 369d-376c; 427e-436a; 439e-444a; 474d-479d; 507b-511b; 514a-521c;