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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Seneca say many slave-owners foolishly think?

2. How long does it take Seneca to read the book he mentions in Letter XLVI?

3. While looking for witty entertainment, what does Seneca stumble upon?

4. According to Letter XLI, where is the soul from?

5. What does Seneca recommend avoiding in Letter VII?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Seneca, how should a wise man deal with grief itself?

2. What is the appeal of a slow death for Stoics? What does Seneca believe happens after death?

3. According to Seneca, who should think about death and why?

4. What is the difference between physical and spiritual ailments, according the Seneca's seasick boat trip example?

5. What is Seneca's thoughts on the phrase "cheerful poverty?"

6. Explain the importance to occasional fasting according to Seneca.

7. How does Seneca explain how he partakes of the festivities of Saturnalia?

8. What is a sedan chair and why does Seneca use one occasionally?

9. Discuss the necessity of and the problem with diversions, according to Seneca.

10. Why didn't the Stoics write a lot of quotable quotes for students to memorize? What is his opinion about quotable quotes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Stoicism a religion? Explore why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss causation, applying the theories of Stoicism, Aristotle and Plato.

Essay Topic 3

What is philosophy? What are ethics and what is the importance of ethics in philosophy?

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