Phil 420: Advanced Topics in Plato Fall 2004 Topics for the Second Paper Write a 5-page paper on one of the following topics. The paper is due Friday October 22 in class. Late papers without an excuse will be marked down 1/3 of a grade per day. 1) Analyze, explain and evaluate the fifth objection raised by Parmenides to the Theory of Forms, the so-called Likeness Regress, at Parmenides 132c-133a. How do you think Socrates ought to solve the problem? What do you think the problem and its solution shows about the Theory of Forms? 2) Analyze, explain, and evaluate the sixth objection raised by Parmenides to the Theory of Forms, sometimes called the "Greatest Difficulty" or the "Separation Argument" at Parmenides 133a-134e. How do you think Socrates ought to solve the problem? What do you think the problem and its solution shows about the Theory of Forms? 3) Analyze, explain and evaluate Socrates' argument against Protagoras at Theaetetus 170a-171d. First, explain what Protagoras' thesis is. Then explain how Socrates' argument(s) against Protagoras are supposd to work. Does Socrates successfully refute Protagoras? 4) Analyze, explain and evaluate Socrates' argument against the thesis that knowledge is perception at Theaetetus 184b-e. 5) What is the project concerning "real causes" that Socrates describes in the Phaedo? And how does the Timaeus contribute to that project? Explain the main causes introduced in the Timaeus (Demiurge, Reason, Necessity), and their relation to each other. Explain how explanations in terms of Reason and explanations in terms of Necessity combine in the account of vision offered at 45b-47e.