PH19C Sample Examination Paper

[NB Some of these questions reflect different emphases in the treatment of the course from what I have used and so could not properly be asked on the basis of what you will have done, but they should indicate the sort of question you can expect.

There is one extra question in Section B — this is intended to relate in particular to the work we are doing in the tutorials.]

Give reasoned answers to two questions, one from each section:

Section A

  1. What is Plato’s reason for thinking that learning is really recollection? Is it convincing?
  2. Discuss Plato’s analogy between the soul and the ideal city.
  3. "Plato is too careless about opposites and principles invoking them." Discuss the justice of this claim with reference to Plato’s contrast of living and dead.
  4. How does Socrates use the craft analogy and what does it commit him to?

    5.  

    Section B

  5. "The soul is the first actuality of a natural body that potentially has life." Explain what Aristotle means.
  6. Discuss Aristotle’s second thoughts about substance.
  7. Explain Aristotle’s account of the "four causes".
  8. How does Aristotle identify the function of a human being?
  9. Does Aristotle really differ from Plato on the proper place of philosophers in society?