PHL/CNE 371        Review Guide for Final Exam       Prof. Stephens

Epictetus, Discourses Books 3 and 4

1. Briefly explain Epictetus’ view of beauty. (Disc. 3. 1)
2. What does E use the example of the purple stripe in the toga to show? (3. 1. 23)
3. Identify the THREE areas of study (topoi) mentioned in Disc. 3. 2. 1–2.
4. Explain the nature of prohairesis (“choice”) and its importance in Epictetus’ philosophy.
5. Explain what kinds of things Epictetus counts as judgments (3. 3) and the importance of judgments in his philosophy.
6. How does Epict. say he wants to die? (3. 5. 7)
7. Briefly explain Epictetus’ conception of progress and invincibility. (3. 6)
8. Who is the “Rufus” Epictetus mentions? (3. 6. 10 and elsewhere)
9. Explain Epictetus’ criticism of Epicureanism. (3. 7)
10. List the SIX principal duties E identifies in 3. 7. 26.
11. Briefly describe Epictetus’ view of training (askēsis). (3. 10; 3. 13. 21–23; 3. 15, and elsewhere)
12. Explain Epictetus’ views of desolation and self-sufficiency. (3. 13)
13. Briefly explain his view of childishness and growing up. (3. 19)
14. What does E use the magic wand of Hermes to show? (3. 20. 11–17)
15. Explain Epictetus’ view of the Cynics.  What is the job of the Cynic?  Who is suited for it? (3. 22)
16. Epictetus says that “the school of a philosopher is a surgery” (3. 23. 30 ff.)  Explain what this means.
17. What is Epictetus’ view of homesickness and travel? (3. 24)
18. What is Epictetus’ view of hunger and starvation? (3. 26)
19. Describe in an extensive essay Epictetus’ account of FREEDOM. (4. 1)
20. Which philosopher does Epictetus uphold as a model to emulate more than any other in the Discourses?

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Scepticism

1. What does “sceptic” or “zetetic” literally mean in ancient Greek?
2. Who was Pyrrho?  What years did he live?
3. Who was Arcesilaus?  When did he live?
4. Who was Carneades?  When did he live?
5. Who was Sextus Empiricus?  When did he live?  What was his profession?
Book 1
6. What three main types of philosophy does Sextus distinguish? (Ch. 1)
7. Explain the meanings of Zetetic, Ephectic, Aporetic, and Pyrrhonean, as discussed by Sextus. (Ch. 3)
8. Explain these terms and how they are related: equipollence, suspension of judgment, tranquility. (Ch. 4)
9. What do the Sceptics follow, according to Sextus?
10. Carefully state the Fourfold Regulation of Life identified by Sextus (Ch. 11).  Explain how the Sceptic lives his life guided by this.
11. Explain the story of the painter Apelles.  What does Sextus use it to show? (Ch. 12, esp. section 28)
12. Describe the Ten Modes (tropes) of suspension of judgment. (Ch. 14)
13. Present Sextus’ argument for the conclusion that we cannot prefer our own appearances to those of nonhuman animals. (Ch. 14, section 60)
14. Present Sextus’ argument (15 steps) that the dog possesses all four requirements of internal reasoning. (Ch. 14, sections 64–72)
15. Present the Canine Speech Argument. (Ch. 14, section 75)
16. Explain what each of the following is, according to Sextus: a persuasion, a law, a custom, a myth, a dogmatic supposition. (Ch. 14, sections 145–163)
Book 2
17. Explain Sextus’ account of how Sceptics investigate what the Dogmatists talk about.
18. Identify the THREE senses of logical standards. (Ch. 3)
19. How does Sextus distinguish truths from THE truth? (Ch. 8)
20. Explain how Sextus addresses the issue of indicative signs. (Ch. 11)
21. How does Sextus address the issue of whether there are any proofs? (Ch. 13)
22. How does Sextus address the issue of definitions? (Ch. 16)
Book 3
23. What problems does Sextus raise about belief in god(s)? (Ch. 3)

Porphyry, On Abstinence from Killing Animals

1. Who was Porphyry?  When did he live?  Where was he from?
2. When was On Abstinence written?  What is the name of the person to whom it was addressed?  Who was this person?  Why did Porphyry write the book to send it to him?
3. Who was the teacher of the circle of philosophers of which Porphyry was a member?  What great philosopher did these guys follow in the tradition of?
4. Which two Presocratic philosophers were vegetarians?
5. Which schools of philosophy were opposed to vegetarianism?

Book 1

The Stoic & Peripatetic arguments:
6. Explain the Argument from the Confusion of Justice (1.4.1–4).
7. Explain the Argument from the Reciprocity of Justice (1.6.1).
8. Explain the Argument from Natural Need (1.6.2).
9. Explain the Plants-have-souls-too Argument (1.6.3).

The Epicurean argument:
10. Explain the Argument from Legal Genealogy (1.7–12).

Ordinary people’s arguments:
11. Explain the Argument from Cooking with Fire (1.13).
12. Explain the Just War Argument (1.14.1–2).
13. Explain the Neither-bodily-nor-psychic-harm Argument (1.15.1–2).
14. Explain the Overpopulation reductio ad absurdum Argument (1.16).
15. Explain the Argument from the Loss of Medicine (1.17).
16. Explain the Argument from Souls’ Speedy Return to Human Bodies (1.19.1–2).
17. Explain the Mortality-Immortality (constructive dilemma) Argument (1.19.3-1.20.1).
18. Explain the Animals-produce-for-us Argument (1.21).
19. Explain the (hypothetical syllogism) Argument from Forced Cannibalism (1.24).
20. Explain the Vegetarians-make-useless-soldiers Argument (1.26).

Porphyry’s Counterarguments:
21. To whom does Porphyry say his discourse is directed, that is, who is his intended audience? (1.27)
22. What does he say about sleep and wakefulness? (1.27.2–1.28)
23. Explain in what ways Porphyry’s philosophy is ELITIST.
24. What does Porphyry’s philosophy have in common with Stoicism?  What does it have in common with Epicureanism?
25. Explain the Words-are-not-enough Argument (1.29).
26. Explain the Alienation Argument by Analogy (1.30.2–4).
27. Describe Porphyry’s imagery of stripping off many tunics to compete in the Olympics of the soul (1.31.3–4).
28. Explain his views about detachment from deeds and detachment from desires and inclinations.
29. Describe his account of how the descent is caused.
30. Give examples of things which inflame the passions, according to P. (1.33.6–1.34).
31. What does P. say about paying attention? (1.41.5).
32. Explain meat-eaters’ The Rule of the Sea Argument by Analogy (1.42.2-3).  How does Porphyry reply to this argument?
33. What is Porphyry’s view on sex? (1.41.4).
34. What all does P. urge abstention from and why?
35. Porphyry says that the person practicing abstinence rids himself of “an Iliad of evils” (1. 47.2; p. 49–50).  I count ELEVEN.  State them.
36. Explain the Argument that Meat is Better Neither for the Body Nor for the Soul (1.51.5–6).
37. How does P. refute the overpopulation argument? (1.53.1).
38. What does P. say about luxury? (1.54.4).
39. Why does P. think simplicity is important? (1.56.1).

Book 2

40. What does P. think is the connection between killing animals and eating animals? (2.2.1)
41. What kind of sacrifice to the gods does Porphyry recommend?  What sacrifices did people used to make?
42. Explain the origin of sacrificing animals described by P.

Plotinus, “The Good or The One” (VI, 9 [9])

1. What is the goal of philosophy, according to Plotinus?
2. Explain (as best you can!) The One.  What features does it have?  How well does its name pick it out?  How is it related to all beings?
3. How do we get awareness of The One? (section 4)
4. Explain The Soul.  What faculties does it have?  How is it related to The One?
5. Explain Being.  How does it relate to The One?  How is Being related to all things?
6. Explain The Intelligence.  How is it related to all things?
7. What does divinity consist in?  How do souls behave in relation to The One? (section 8)
8. What explains the Descent?  Why do souls descend from the presence of The One?
9. What happens to the person who unites with The One? (section 10)
10. How does Plotinus describe the experience of union with The One? (section 11)