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Plato: A Real Wise Guy Trivia Quiz

A student of Socrates, a teacher of Aristotle, and one of the most brilliant philosophers of antiquity. If a subject is of any importance, chances are, Plato wrote about it.

A multiple-choice quiz by astorian. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
astorian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
153,687

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
806

Last 3 plays: Guest 128 (4/10), Guest 42 (6/10), Guest 86 (2/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. In Plato's "The Republic", who does Socrates suggest should rule over society? Hint

nobody; no man should rule over any other man

the military

an elite group of "philosopher-kings"

an elected parliament

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2. True or false: in Plato's "The Republic", Socrates argues for freedom of expression and against censorship.

Answer: (One Word)

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3. What is the primary subject of Socrates' dialogues with Theaetetus? Hint

the best form of civic government

the nature of human knowledge

whether or not God exists

the origin of the universe

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4. Plato and his most esteemed student, Aristotle, both appear in the painting "The School of Athens" by which Renaissance master? Hint

Titian

Michaelangelo

Raphael

Leonardo da Vinci

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5. Which subject does Socrates discuss in "Euthyphro"? Hint

The purpose of art and music

The need to discipline children properly

How to determine if a war is just

Piety, and our duties toward the gods

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6. In Plato's "Crito," Crito tries, unsuccessfully, to convince Socrates to do which of the following things? Hint

renounce his philosophy

become the new king of Athens

flee from Athens

urge the masses to rise up in revolt

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7. What is the subject of Plato's "The Symposium"? Hint

War

Justice

Death

Love

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8. In "The Symposium", what Greek playwright suggests that all human beings are seeking their missing other halves? Hint

Sophocles

Aristophanes

Aeschylus

Euripides

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9. Which of Plato's works describes the trial of Socrates, and Socrates' defense against charges that he was corrupting the youth of Athens? Hint

The Apology

Timaeus

Meno

Crito

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10. According to Plato's "Phaedo," what was Socrates' demeanor in his cell, as he awaited his pending execution? Hint

Angered by the injustice of his sentence

Pleasant, calm and resigned to his fate

Saddened and depressed

Extremely afraid

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In Plato's "The Republic", who does Socrates suggest should rule over society?

Answer: an elite group of "philosopher-kings"

Socrates thought a democratic society was bound to collapse into anarchy and decadence, and that only leadership by a virtuous elite could prevent this.

2. True or false: in Plato's "The Republic", Socrates argues for freedom of expression and against censorship.

Answer: False

Socrates argues that the wrong types of literature and music can corrupt the youth of Greece, and must therefore be strictly controlled.

3. What is the primary subject of Socrates' dialogues with Theaetetus?

Answer: the nature of human knowledge

Theaetetus, who was killed in the Peloponnesian War, had engaged in a memorable dialogue with Socrates as a youth.

4. Plato and his most esteemed student, Aristotle, both appear in the painting "The School of Athens" by which Renaissance master?

Answer: Raphael

Many leading artists and intellectuals appear in the painting. Those who dealt with ideals and abstract subjects surround Plato, while those more concerned with practical matters surround Aristotle. Interestingly, Raphael placed himself in the painting alongside Aristotle.

5. Which subject does Socrates discuss in "Euthyphro"?

Answer: Piety, and our duties toward the gods

This dialogue leads to no clear conclusion. Socrates is interested not so much in giving answers as in shaking up our notions of the gods.

6. In Plato's "Crito," Crito tries, unsuccessfully, to convince Socrates to do which of the following things?

Answer: flee from Athens

Even after Socrates was condemned to death, he had followers who would gladly have helped him escape from prison and flee from Athens. Socrates, however, declines to do so.

7. What is the subject of Plato's "The Symposium"?

Answer: Love

A drunken rant by Alcibiades is one of the highlights of "The Symposium".

8. In "The Symposium", what Greek playwright suggests that all human beings are seeking their missing other halves?

Answer: Aristophanes

The comic playwright Aristophanes concocts a myth in which early human beings were hermaphrodites who were split apart by the gods. So when people seek out husbands or wives, they're really looking for their missing halves, to become complete.

9. Which of Plato's works describes the trial of Socrates, and Socrates' defense against charges that he was corrupting the youth of Athens?

Answer: The Apology

Socrates' self-defense was eloquent but not persuasive to his peers, who voted to have him executed.

10. According to Plato's "Phaedo," what was Socrates' demeanor in his cell, as he awaited his pending execution?

Answer: Pleasant, calm and resigned to his fate

Socrates passed time in his cell by writing poetry based on Aesop's fables.

Source: Author astorian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Most Recent Scores

May 22 2023 : Guest 128: 4/10
May 01 2023 : Guest 42: 6/10
Apr 19 2023 : Guest 86: 2/10

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