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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Letter LXXXVIII, how important is the knowledge of the liberal arts to Stoicism?
(a) More important than even religion.
(b) Very important.
(c) Vital - can't understand Stoicism without a full liberal arts background.
(d) Not at all.

2. What does Seneca give advice about coping with in Letter LXXVIII?
(a) Grief.
(b) Love.
(c) Religious faith.
(d) Illness.

3. According to Letter LXV, how do friends get Seneca to stop reading and writing while he is sick?
(a) By bringing in a card game.
(b) By asking him to discuss a philosophical question.
(c) By taking him to a hospital.
(d) By entertaining him with a short play.

4. How does Seneca spend most of his day?
(a) In study.
(b) Dreaming.
(c) Exercising.
(d) Praying.

5. In Letter LXXXIII, whose logic does Seneca question?
(a) Zeno's.
(b) Plato's.
(c) Aristotle's.
(d) Sappho's.

Short Answer Questions

1. What creates certain habits of study and thought which are actually useful?

2. For Stoics, what are two basic elements found in any object?

3. Who was Posidinius?

4. What happens to Seneca's work ethic and studies once he moves to the country?

5. What kind of events does Seneca say upsets people the most?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the concept of causation according to Aristotle?

2. Why does Seneca believe only a philosopher can appreciate wisdom?

3. What is Seneca's criticism of the typical liberal arts scholar?

4. According to Seneca, what destroyed man's harmonic relationship with nature and what was the result?

5. Why does Seneca move to the country and what effects result from the move?

6. What advice does Seneca give for staying safe?

7. What advice does Seneca give Lucilius about coping with illness and the sometimes severe symptoms that accompany it?

8. What does Seneca say causes envy and how can envy be avoided?

9. What is the value of a liberal arts education, according to Seneca?

10. What does Plato add to Aristotle's theory of causation?

(see the answer keys)

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