Unit I
IN THIS LESSON
In a city plagued with people who are careless with the truth, by the simple act of questioning those who claim to know, Socrates becomes a legend.
Topics discussed:
The philosophical notion of bullshit
The Socratic elenchus
Socrates’ ethics
Xenophon on self-mastery
For lesson transcripts, go to zencastr.com/The-Luxury-of-Virtue.
Focus Questions
Given what we learn from the accounts of Plato and Xenophon, what were the primary reasons that Socrates sought to use the elenchus to inquire about the beliefs of those in Athens?
What is the philosophical notion of bullshit? Can you think of examples of bullshitters in your life?
What is akrasia? What is moral intellectualism? Why is Socrates’ belief in moral intellectualism result in his denying the possibility of akrasia?
According to Socrates, the philosophical life is good both for the individual and for society. How is living philosophically good for the individual, according to Socrates? How is living philosophically good for society?
What is freedom, according to Socrates?
Xenophon stresses the need for self-control, which he believes has three facets: self-mastery, endurance, and self-sufficiency. Define these three aspects of self-control. How can you improve on each of these in your life?
Xenophon conceives of self-control as an ability, one that we have to work to gain and maintain. Why does Xenophon think that self-control is so fundamental?
Further Reading
David Conan Wolfdorf, Early Greek Ethics.
C. C. W. Taylor, Socrates: A very short introduction
Donald Kagan, The Peloponnesian War
Other Relevant Material
Harry Frankfurt, On Bullshit