Reference no: EM133428503

Question: Choose one of the three thesis statements (all translations of quotes from Socrates) below, and write a brief four-part essay that does the following:

First, introduce the reader to the statement and its author (Socrates), and describe in your own words what you think Socrates meant by such a statement. Don't worry about trying to produce a "correct" interpretation; just tell me what you personally think a man like Socrates (based on what you know of him) may have meant by such a statement. I am not looking for you to research what experts on Socrates think the statement means, though you can certainly do such research if you wish (make sure you cite your sources if you do this).

Second, present at least one good argument supporting the truth of the statement. That is, argue that the statement, as you have interpreted it, is true, and Socrates is right.

Third, present at least one equally good counterargument to one of the previous two sections. Here, you have two options. You can either argue that the interpretation you offered in the first part is incorrect, and that Socrates possibly meant something else by the quote, or you can argue that Socrates did indeed mean what you think he meant, but that he was incorrect and was saying something false. Make it clear which you are doing. In either case, you must support your counterargument just as well as you supported your initial interpretation and argument.

Finally, you need to "break the tie" by picking one of the arguments or interpretations you've already presented and, using additional argumentation, showing that it is better than the other. This requires that you bring something new to the table; do not merely repeat the arguments or interpretations already offered. Rather, you want to hold something back from your original interpretations and arguments, and use it here to show which is the best interpretation/argument.

Thesis Statements (pick one):

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."

"You should spend your time examining other men's writings, that you may acquire easily what others have labored hard for."

"One should not fear death, for death may be the greatest of all human blessings."