Question I: Platos Protagoras What does Socrates mean in the Protagoras when he claims that the virtues are one? Outline two possible interpretations of this thesis, and present a case for preferring one line of interpretation to the other. For example, does your preferred reading find stronger support in the text? Or does your favoured reading attribute a more philosophically defensible position than the alternative? Or do you think your preferred reading can be defended on other grounds? Explain. This assignment involves three tasks: Task 1 First, outline the two interpretations of Socrates thesis you want to consider, labeling each one clearly. For example, you can simply call them Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2. Explain how Socrates conceives of the unity of the virtues on each interpretation. For example, does he regard justice, piety, etc. as synonyms? Or does he take justice, piety, etc. to be parts of some greater whole? If so, then how does Socrates conceive of these parts? Or is there another way to flesh out Socrates thesis, in your view? Make sure to discuss what you take to be the key differences between the two readings youve outlined in Task 1. Also, make sure to limit your scope to two possible interpretations. Task 2 Next, outline the standard youll consult to evaluate the two interpretations you discussed in Task 1. How should we decide between these two interpretations, in your view? For example, do you think we should prefer an interpretation on the ground that it is more consistent with Socrates other remarks in the Protagoras? Or should we prefer a reading if it is more in line with some of Socrates remarks in the Euthyphro, or elsewhere in the assigned course readings? Alternatively, do you think we should evaluate the interpretations you outlined in Task 1 on philosophical grounds? That is to say, is it your view that all else being equal we should attribute to Socrates the version of the thesis that is more philosophically attractive? Or do you have another standard in mind? Whatever it is, make sure to explain your standard as clearly as possible, so that it will be clear how youre applying it in Task 3. Task 3 Finally, your job in Task 3 is to apply the standard you outlined in Task 2. Your job here is to make it clear to the reader (i) which of the two interpretations outlined in Task 1 you prefer; and (ii) why you think the standard you outlined in Task 2 supports this verdict. Is Interpretation 1 inconsistent with Socrates remarks in the Protagoras, for example? If so, how? Or does Interpretation 2 represent a more attractive position, philosophically speaking? If so, on what grounds is it more philosophically attractive? Whatever your verdict, make sure to defend it as fully as possible by appeal to the standard you outlined in Task 2.
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