Philosophy 100 
Introduction to Philosophy  
Fall 1999
Professor David A. Salomon
Shorter Essay #1

Choose ONE and only one of the following questions. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful
essay. Your essay should be a well-developed, clear, logical and complete idea developed from a
definite thesis statement. Use the text where appropriate to support your answer. You need not
consult secondary sources for this paper, but if you do, give credit for the information you use.
Do not forget to cite any Internet information you use as well. 

Use specifics from the texts to support your answers, but do not merely summarize plot. 

Essays should be typed (double-spaced) and approximately 4-6 pages in length. This paper is due
on Wednesday, October 13. Papers must be submitted on time. Papers handed in late will receive
a one grade deduction for each class late. I will be happy to look at drafts ahead of time; in fact, I
encourage it! 

Read the questions carefully. Proofread your work.

1) At the end of the Phaedo, Phaidon eulogizes Socrates as "the noblest and the wisest and most
just" man he had ever met (521). Using the three dialogues (Apology, Crito, and Phaedo) discuss
how one could argue that Socrates was noblest, wisest, and most just. Your essay will have to
include (Platonic) definitions for those three attributes.

2) The "Allegory of the Cave" addresses many concerns: truth, knowledge, experience. Perhaps
its most basic concern is language. What do words mean, and how do we assign names and
meanings to objects and ideas? Discuss Plato's philosophy of language based on the "Allegoryof
the Cave."

3) Apply Aristotle's Ethics to a film (other than "High Noon") or work of fiction. Remember to
give specific examples from both Aristotle and your text or film.