Philosophy 70A Fall 2014
Information on the upcoming Midterm #2
The second midterm, as indicated in the course schedule, will be held, in class, on Wednesday, November 5. The test will consist of 10 short answer questions requiring you to write a paragraph, or so, response to each of them (just like the last test). The questions will focus on concepts and issues that have been prominent in the readings as well as in the lectures/discussions. Treat your experience on the first midterm as a good guide to preparing for this one. The test will only include material covered since the first midterm (Sophists to Aristotle). The test will be just like that but with different questions. I would suggest refamiliarizing yourself with the following:
The Sophists: What is a sophist? What did they do? Rhetoric (as used by sophists) The phusis/nomos distinction (and why it matters to the sophists) (see Antiphon)
Socrates: Socratic (or dialectic method) [as displayed in Laches] Socrates’ “Apology” – What does he say in his defense? Socrates’ (hypothetical) argument with the Laws in Crito, we he refuses to escape
Plato: What is the significance of a slave learning geometry in Meno? What is the difference between average love and Platonic love in Symposium? What is, and what is the point of the “Ring of Gyges” story? The divided line and the allegory of the cave. What is the “theory of forms?’ What is it supposed to explain?
Aristotle: Substance, Essence, and the four causes Categories, Universals and generalizations Deductive vs. Inductive logic Aristotle’s ethics: what is the nature of “character” ethics (vs. normative)? eudaimonia, the doctrine of the mean
That seems like less that the list provided for the first midterm. Here we have fewer characters and fewer works so you might expect a few questions on a couple of them and a little more picky detail. Still, as before, if the list above looks familiar, you should be in good shape. Again, use your experience on the first midterm to guide your strategy in preparation.
Again, I’ll say more the meeting before the test (once it exists). Don’t panic but do study. It won’t be bad.