Read Aristotle’s account of the development of early Greek philosophy at Metaphysics 1.3 here. What does he believe is the most important guiding principle of all things? To what extent does this relate to what earlier thinkers have put forward?
In Their Own Words 4.2
Read Plato’s short dialogue Protagorashere, in which Socrates enters into a debate with the famous sophist about the purpose of education and the nature of virtue. How are the sophists presented in this dialogue? Why does Socrates caution about learning from them?
In Their Own Words 4.3
Read Plato’s account of Socrates’ debate with Laches at Laches 190e–193d here. How does Socrates manage to dismantle Laches’ preconceptions in this passage?
In Their Own Words 4.4
Read Plato’s account of Socrates’ death at Phaedo 116a–118a here. How is the character of Socrates presented as he faces his death?
In Their Own Words 4.5
Read Plato’s account of the myth of Er at Republic 10.614b–10.621d here. How closely does this account of the principle of death and rebirth correspond to the doctrines of those religions which believe in reincarnation?
In Their Own Words 4.6
Read Aristotle’s introductory definition of eudaimonia (‘happiness’) at Nichomachean Ethics 1097b22–1098a20 here. To what extent do you agree with this definition of the highest human purpose?
