Phil 230 (Plato)
Phil 230 (Plato) Exam Study Guide 2025-
2026
What is the ground of the distinction between episteme and doxa in Plato's
epistemology, as it is expressed in the "divided line"? - Correct Ans-Episteme =
Knowledge
Knowledge is infallible; logically impossible for it to be false
Doxa = Opinion
Bad or false knowledge
I.E: Something heavy to a child is light to an adult
What are the subdivisions of episteme? - Correct Ans-Dianoia = Understanding
Conclusions drawn by reasoning about geometrical shapes/numbers
[mathematica = mathematical objects]
Noesis = Reason
The state of mind of the philosopher who, using the hypothesis of dianoia, passes
beyond them to first principles. Makes no use of images, but reasons abstractly,
"dialectically"
[archè = forms]
Why are mathematical objects considered "intermediaries" between images and pure
noesis? - Correct Ans-The mathematician assumes hypothesis, axioms, etc. Thus,
although his thinking involves truth (episteme), he does not ask about ultimate origins
(archè)
What are the subdivisions of doxa? - Correct Ans-Eikasia = Imagination/Conjecture
In a state of being deceived
I.E: Shadows on the wall of cave
[eikones = images]
Pistis = Belief/Conviction
Natural philosopher/Empirical scientist operates in the realm of pistis
[zoa = sensible things (nature)]
What is meant by "Socratic irony"? Give some examples. - Correct Ans-A pose of
ignorance assumed in order to entice others into making statements that can then be
challenged.
I.E. Socrates says he is not a teller of tales and uses Aesop
I.E. Athen's concern for "purity" delays Socrates' death
1|Page
, Phil 230 (Plato)
What is metaphysics? - Correct Ans-In general, metaphysics is that part of philosophy
that is concerned to provide arguments for the existence of certain things people believe
in but have no empirical evidence for
I.E. God, the soul after the death of the body
Epistemology - Correct Ans-The study of knowledge
What do we know? Is it even possible to "know" anything about the soul?
Logic - Correct Ans-The study of true statement
Inductive and deductive proofs
Politics - Correct Ans-The study of the polis (city)
How many people best live together in peace? What are the laws that should be
adopted to govern a good society?
Ethics - Correct Ans-The study of right and wrong action
What makes man happy? What is the good life? What is virtue?
Why is philosophy considered a rational theology? - Correct Ans-Philosophy attempts to
answer, from the vantage point of "pure reason" alone, all of the questions that theology
leaves to faith
What is the nature of the soul? Is the soul immortal? What is the meaning of life?
In what cognitive state would shadows on the wall of a cave or reflections in water be
considered? - Correct Ans-Eikasia; second-hand imitation
In what cognitive state do "real" objects correspond to the images of eikasia as its
objects? - Correct Ans-Pistis
In what cognitive state are the Forms not merely epistemological principles, but also
ontological (metaphysical) principles? - Correct Ans-Archè
In what cognitive state does one contemplate a globe as a representation of the earth? -
Correct Ans-Eikasia
In what cognitive state does viewing the earth from space represent? - Correct Ans-
Pistis
In what cognitive state does reflecting on the geometric properties of spheres
represent? - Correct Ans-Dianoia
2|Page
Phil 230 (Plato) Exam Study Guide 2025-
2026
What is the ground of the distinction between episteme and doxa in Plato's
epistemology, as it is expressed in the "divided line"? - Correct Ans-Episteme =
Knowledge
Knowledge is infallible; logically impossible for it to be false
Doxa = Opinion
Bad or false knowledge
I.E: Something heavy to a child is light to an adult
What are the subdivisions of episteme? - Correct Ans-Dianoia = Understanding
Conclusions drawn by reasoning about geometrical shapes/numbers
[mathematica = mathematical objects]
Noesis = Reason
The state of mind of the philosopher who, using the hypothesis of dianoia, passes
beyond them to first principles. Makes no use of images, but reasons abstractly,
"dialectically"
[archè = forms]
Why are mathematical objects considered "intermediaries" between images and pure
noesis? - Correct Ans-The mathematician assumes hypothesis, axioms, etc. Thus,
although his thinking involves truth (episteme), he does not ask about ultimate origins
(archè)
What are the subdivisions of doxa? - Correct Ans-Eikasia = Imagination/Conjecture
In a state of being deceived
I.E: Shadows on the wall of cave
[eikones = images]
Pistis = Belief/Conviction
Natural philosopher/Empirical scientist operates in the realm of pistis
[zoa = sensible things (nature)]
What is meant by "Socratic irony"? Give some examples. - Correct Ans-A pose of
ignorance assumed in order to entice others into making statements that can then be
challenged.
I.E. Socrates says he is not a teller of tales and uses Aesop
I.E. Athen's concern for "purity" delays Socrates' death
1|Page
, Phil 230 (Plato)
What is metaphysics? - Correct Ans-In general, metaphysics is that part of philosophy
that is concerned to provide arguments for the existence of certain things people believe
in but have no empirical evidence for
I.E. God, the soul after the death of the body
Epistemology - Correct Ans-The study of knowledge
What do we know? Is it even possible to "know" anything about the soul?
Logic - Correct Ans-The study of true statement
Inductive and deductive proofs
Politics - Correct Ans-The study of the polis (city)
How many people best live together in peace? What are the laws that should be
adopted to govern a good society?
Ethics - Correct Ans-The study of right and wrong action
What makes man happy? What is the good life? What is virtue?
Why is philosophy considered a rational theology? - Correct Ans-Philosophy attempts to
answer, from the vantage point of "pure reason" alone, all of the questions that theology
leaves to faith
What is the nature of the soul? Is the soul immortal? What is the meaning of life?
In what cognitive state would shadows on the wall of a cave or reflections in water be
considered? - Correct Ans-Eikasia; second-hand imitation
In what cognitive state do "real" objects correspond to the images of eikasia as its
objects? - Correct Ans-Pistis
In what cognitive state are the Forms not merely epistemological principles, but also
ontological (metaphysical) principles? - Correct Ans-Archè
In what cognitive state does one contemplate a globe as a representation of the earth? -
Correct Ans-Eikasia
In what cognitive state does viewing the earth from space represent? - Correct Ans-
Pistis
In what cognitive state does reflecting on the geometric properties of spheres
represent? - Correct Ans-Dianoia
2|Page
