The Way of the Gadfly

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I – KNOWLEDGE
1. In search of knowledge
1.1 Socrates’ criteria of knowledge (SCK)
1.2 Knowledge of knowledge
2. Definitions
3. Elenchus
4. True opinion
5. Midwifery, anamnesis, activation
5.1 Midwifery and intellectual activation
5.2 Anamnesis
6. Ignorance and knowledge
6.1 What Socrates did not know
6.2 What Socrates knew
6.3 Socrates’ basic theses (SBT)

CHAPTER II – VIRTUE AND THE SOCRATIC MAN
1. Background
2. The unity of virtues
2.1 Popular definitions
2.2 Parts-of-face definitions
2.3 Parts-of-gold definitions
2.4 The eidos incarnate
3. The hedonistic argument
3.1 The hedonistic argument: Parts one and two
3.2 The hedonistic argument: Part three
3.3 The hedonistic argument part four and the problem of courage
3.3.1 Courage, confidence, technē
3.3.2 Fear of injustice and fear of disgrace
4. The argument from human nature
4.1 Socrates’ first thesis: the tyrant does not do what he wishes
4.2 Polus’ responses
4.3 Socrates’ second thesis: The greatest evil is adikein
4.4 Socrates’ third thesis: adikein is worse than adikeisthai
4.5 Socrates’ fourth thesis: injustice is a disease of the soul

CHAPTER III – POLITICS
1. Socrates, the craft of politics, and the democratic man
2. Avoidance of politics
3. True politics
3.1 True politics and political order
3.2 True politics and knowledge
3.3 The just polis
4. Good laws
5. Parental state and tacit consent.
5.1 Crito’s offer and Socrates’ reply
5.2 The Laws of Athens speak
5.2.1 The fourth logos
5.2.2 The state as parents
5.2.3 Tacit consent
5.2.4 Persuading the state
5.2.5 The Laws’ concluding remarks and Socrates’ final words

CHAPTER IV – PHILOSOPHER IN ACTION
1. Philosopher and the city
2. Irony
2.1 Self-deprecation
2.2 Not speaking seriously
2.3 Serious playfulness
3. The educational value of the elenchus
4. Socrates’ mission
5. Mission, the god and elenchus
5.1 Wisdom and ignorance
5.2 Virtue and goodness
5.3 Gadfly
6. Socrates’ charm
6.1 Enchanting
6.2 Benumbing