King’s College London
University of London
This paper is part of an examination of the College counting towards the award of a degree. Examinations are governed by the College Regulations under the authority of the Academic Board.
MA EXAMINATION
7AAN2026
Greek Philosophy I: Plato
SUMMER 2013
TIME ALLOWED: 2 HOURS
Answer TWO questions, one from each section.
Avoid overlap in your answers.
DO NOT REMOVE THIS PAPER FROM THE EXAMINATION ROOM
TURN OVER WHEN INSTRUCTED
2013 © King’s College London
7AAN2026
Section A
1 Do you find Plato's defence of justice in Republic Book I convincing?
2 According to Plato the soul has three aspects or parts. Explain the parts and their relation to each other and critically assess the arguments in support of this tripartition.
3 Why should you be just? Discuss with reference to Republic Books II and IV.
4 Explain and discuss the distinctions drawn in Republic V.474-80 between knowledge and true belief.
5 What is the analogy between the city and the soul in Plato's Republic? Critically discuss why you find it convincing or not convincing.
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7AAN2026
Section B
6 What role does the form of the good play in relation to the other forms? Answer by reference to Plato’s Republic.
7 Future rulers need to know the form of the good. How would knowledge of the form of the good help those who are going back into the cave?
8 All human beings are mortal - but they also have an immortal part. Does Plato in the Timaeus give a plausible account of the relationship between the human body and the soul?
9 Why does the universe (or the cosmos) exist? Examine critically the answer given by Plato in the Timaeus.
10 Critically discuss the role of the receptacle in the cosmology of the Timaeus?
11 Timaeus claims that time has been created. Is this a problematic idea? If so, how are we to understand what Timaeus says?
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