MCQs on Socrates with Answers for UGC NET / SET /PHD Preparation

1. Who was Socrates?
a) Athenian philosopher
b) Roman emperor
c) Greek playwright
d) Persian king

2. Socrates is best known through the writings of which ancient philosopher?
a) Aristotle
b) Plato
c) Sophocles
d) Euripides

3. Socrates is considered one of the founders of which philosophical school?
a) Stoicism
b) Epicureanism
c) Cynicism
d) Sophism

4. What method did Socrates use in his philosophical discussions?
a) Dialectics
b) Rhetoric
c) Monologue
d) Soliloquy

5. Socrates’ famous statement “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing” reflects his emphasis on:
a) Humility
b) Arrogance
c) Omniscience
d) Ignorance

6. Socrates was sentenced to death by:
a) Hanging
b) Beheading
c) Poisoning
d) Crucifixion

7. Socrates’ method of questioning is known as:
a) Socratic dialogue
b) Platonic discourse
c) Aristotelian inquiryMCQs on Socrates
d) Sophoclean interrogation

8. According to Socrates, the purpose of philosophy is to:
a) Accumulate wealth
b) Attain physical pleasureMCQs on Socrates
c) Seek knowledge and wisdom
d) Pursue power and authority

9. Socrates claimed that he was guided by a divine inner voice, referred to as:
a) Logos
b) Eudaimonia
c) Daimonion
d) Agape

10. Socrates’ method aimed at exposing contradictions in the opinions of his interlocutors is known as:
a) Irony
b) Syllogism
c) Elenchus
d) Panegyric

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11. Who was the accuser of Socrates in his trial?
a) Plato
b) Aristotle
c) Meletus
d) Xenophon

12. Socrates’ philosophical approach is often characterized as:
a) Dogmatic
b) Skeptical
c) Hedonistic
d) Cynical

13. The concept of the “Socratic method” has influenced which areas of education?
a) Law
b) Medicine
c) Mathematics
d) All of the above

14. Socrates‘ famous student, Plato, wrote about him in works such as:
a) The Republic
b) The Iliad
c) The Odyssey
d) The Aeneid

15. Socrates’ views on democracy were often critical. He believed it could lead to:
a) Wisdom
b) Tyranny
c) Anarchy
d) Oligarchy

16. Socrates’ method of teaching through questioning is known as:
a) Didactic
b) MaieuticMCQs on Socrates
c) Pedagogical
d) Rhetorical

17. Socrates’ emphasis on self-examination and introspection is related to the Greek concept of:
a) Arete
b) Hubris
c) CatharsisMCQs on Socrates
d) Metanoia

18. Socrates’ primary concern was with:
a) The physical world
b) The afterlifeMCQs on Socrates
c) Ethical conduct and virtue
d) Aesthetic beauty

19. The Socratic Paradox suggests that:
a) Socrates never existed
b) True wisdom lies in knowing that you know everything
c) True wisdom lies in knowing that you know nothing
d) True happiness lies in material possessions

20. Socratic irony involves:
a) Pretending to be ignorant while revealing wisdom
b) Pretending to be wise while revealing ignorance
c) Remaining silent during philosophical discussions
d) Mocking other philosophers

21. Socrates’ trial and execution are depicted in which work by Plato?
a) The Symposium
b) The Apology
c) The Phaedo
d) The Timaeus

22. Socrates believed that virtue is:
a) Inherited
b) Taught
c) Inherent in human nature
d) Unattainable

23. What term is commonly used to describe Socrates’ persistent questioning style?
a) Socratic method
b) Platonic dialogue
c) Aristotelian logic
d) Xenophonic inquiry

24. According to Socrates, the unexamined life is:
a) Worth living
b) Not worth living
c) Only worth living for the wealthy
d) The only life worth living

25. Socrates’ views on the immortality of the soul are explored in which dialogue?
a) The Republic
b) The Symposium
c) The Phaedo
d) The Apology

26. Socrates’ method of teaching by asking questions and guiding students to discover answers is known as:
a) Didacticism
b) Maieutics
c) Syllogism
d) Dialectics

27. Socrates’ death is associated with the consumption of:
a) Hemlock
b) Wine
c) Poisonous mushrooms
d) Opium

28. Socrates’ mission was to:
a) Accumulate wealth
b) Prove the existence of the godsMCQs on Socrates
c) Encourage critical thinking and self-examination
d) Establish a new political order

29. Socrates’ famous statement “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” reflects his:
a) Arrogance
b) Humility
c) IgnoranceMCQs on Socrates
d) Omniscience

30. Socrates’ method of questioning aimed at revealing contradictions in one’s beliefs is known as:
a) Didacticism
b) Maieutics
c) Syllogism
d) Elenchus

31. The Socratic dialogues often feature discussions between Socrates and his:
a) Disciples
b) Critics
c) Admirers
d) Sophists

32. Socrates’ influence extended to later philosophers such as:
a) Descartes
b) Nietzsche
c) Kant
d) All of the above

33. Socrates’ approach to ethics focused on:
a) Consequences
b) Intentions
c) Virtue and moral character
d) Divine command

34. Socrates’ method of questioning often led to:
a) Agreement
b) Consensus
c) Confusion
d) Compromise

35. Socratic ignorance refers to:
a) Socrates’ lack of knowledge
b) Socrates’ feigned ignorance
c) The ignorance of his interlocutors

d) The ignorance of the gods

36. Socrates’ dialogue with Euthyphro explores the nature of:
a) Virtue
b) Beauty
c) Justice
d) Friendship

37. Socrates’ belief in the existence of a divine inner voice is related to the concept of:
a) Logos
b) Eudaimonia
c) Daimonion
d) Agape

38. In the Apology, Socrates defends himself against charges of:
a) Atheism
b) Treason
c) Corruption of youth
d) All of the above

39. Socratic irony is a form of:
a) Verbal irony
b) Situational irony
c) Dramatic irony
d) All of the above

40. The Socratic method involves a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that aims to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas.

True/False

41. Socrates’ contributions to philosophy primarily focused on metaphysics and epistemology.

True/False

42. Socrates’ teachings were passed down through written works attributed to him, as he did not write anything himself.

True/False

43. Socrates’ interactions with the Sophists were characterized by agreement and shared philosophical principles.

True/False

44. The Socratic Paradox suggests that true wisdom lies in recognizing one’s own ignorance.

True/False

45. Socrates’ death is depicted in Plato’s dialogue “The Crito.”

True/False

46. Socratic irony involves pretending to be wise while revealing ignorance.

True/False

47. The term “elenchus” refers to Socrates’ method of cross-examining and refuting his interlocutors.

True/False

48. Socrates’ philosophy had a significant influence on the development of Western ethics and political thought.

True/False

49. Socrates believed that virtue is not teachable and is innate in individuals.

True/False

50. Socrates’ legacy is primarily associated with his contributions to mathematics and natural sciences.

True/False

Answer

1. a) Athenian philosopher
2. b) Plato
3. c) CynicismMCQs on Socrates
4. a) Dialectics
5. c) Omniscience
6. c) PoisoningMCQs on SocratesMCQs on Socrates
7. a) Socratic dialogue
8. c) Seek knowledge and wisdom
9. c) Daimonion
10. c) Elenchus
11. c) MeletusMCQs on Socrates
12. b) SkepticalMCQs on Socrates
13. d) All of the above
14. b) The Apology
15. b) Tyranny
16. b) Maieutic
17. a) Arete
18. c) Ethical conduct and virtue
19. c) True wisdom lies in knowing that you know nothing
20. a) Pretending to be ignorant while revealing wisdom
21. b) The Apology
22. c) Inherent in human nature
23. a) Socratic method
24. b) Not worth living
25. c) The Phaedo
26. b) Maieutics
27. a) Hemlock
28. c) Encourage critical thinking and self-examination
29. b) Humility
30. c) Syllogism
31. a) Disciples
32. d) All of the above
33. c) Virtue and moral character
34. c) Confusion
35. c) The ignorance of his interlocutors
36. c) Justice
37. c) Daimonion
38. d) All of the above
39. c) Dramatic irony
40. True
41. False
42. True
43. False
44. True
45. False
46. True
47. True
48. True
49. False
50. False