Hubris

Arrogance or overestimation of one's own capacity.

Ontology

The study of what exists.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge.

Elenchus / The Socratic Method

Conversations where Socrates asks questions that lead people to the truths he wants to uncover.

Plato's Theory of Forms (Ideas)

Our knowledge is limited in this world because we interact with the shadows or some inferior version of real things. The true forms, i.e. the real apple or tiger, exist elsewhere, out of reach to most people.

Noble Lie

Untruth propagated to strengthen social harmony.

Socratic Problem

We don't know Socrates' true thoughts because he never wrote anything down: his ideas are told to us by others.

Eudaimonia

When we fulfill this nature-inspired telos (goal,) we experience well-being and happiness. This happiness comes from exercising our higher order reasoning, undertaking virtuous actions, and living the good life.

Arete

Virtuous activity comes from fulfilling one’s purpose; doing so at the highest level is arete.

Middle Way

The best action as something between two extremes.

Vita Contemplativa

The life of the mind. Seeking knowledge and truth is our highest calling.

Vita Activa

The life of action. Eudaimonia arises from using our reason to do virtuous activities

Constitution

The arrangement of offices and their distribution, the elements in authority, and the goals of the community.