PHL/CNE 410: Stoicism
Review Guide for Final Exam

Tom Wolfe, A Man in Full

1. Using the framework of Epictetus’ Stoic ethics, analyze the character and conduct of Charlie Croker.    [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
2. Using the framework of Epictetus’ Stoic ethics, analyze the character and conduct of Conrad Hensley prior to his receiving Epictetus’ Discourses in prison.
3. Using the framework of Epictetus’Stoic ethics, analyze the character and conduct of Conrad Hensley after he reads the Discourses.   [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
4. Given your study of Epictetus in this course, evaluate the accuracy of Conrad’s understanding of Epictetus’ Stoicism as presented by Wolfe.

Epictetus, Discourses and Handbook

1. Explain in detail Epictetus’ conceptions of freedom and slavery (servitude).  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
2. Explain in detail Epictetus’ concept of the prohairesis.  How does Dobbin translate this term?  What attitude (mindset) ought the Stoic to have about matters involving the prohairesis? [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
3. Explain in detail, with various examples, Epictetus’ theory of natural and acquired ROLES.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
4. Explain in detail Epictetus’ account of prosōpon (often translated “character”).
5. Explain in detail what Epictetus means by saying that “the door is open.”  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
6. Explain what E. means by “the proper use of impressions.”
7. Explain Epictetus’ view of “externals.”  List many examples of them.  What attitude (mindset) ought the Stoic to have in dealing with them?  What analogies does E. use to describe how to use externals? [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
8. Explain Epictetus’ views about the gods, God, or Zeus.
9. Explain the purpose and function of logic in Epictetus’ philosophy.
10. Briefly explain Epictetus’ view of Epicureans.
11. Briefly explain Epictetus’ view of Skeptics.
12. Explain how the Stoic should think about and interact with other persons, according to Epictetus.
13. Explain Epictetus’ views on Providence, Nature, nonhuman animals, and plants.
14. Explain Epictetus’ account of how a Stoic LOVES.

Explain the Stoic understanding of logos.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]

Explain the Stoic theory of oikeiōsis.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]

Explain in detail a Stoic interpretation of the film Gladiator (2000) and all its important characters.  Incorporate in this essay your responses to discussion questions on the film.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

1. Explain in detail Marcus’ view of TIME, change, the present, the past, and the future.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
2. Explain in detail Marcus’ view of wholes and parts.  Illustrate your account with various examples.  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
3. Explain Marcus’ view of the soul.  What is it made of?  Why is it important?  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
4. Explain Marcus’ conception of a philosophically educated view of BEAUTY.  What things can the insightful person see as beautiful that the uneducated (non-Stoics) see as ugly or fearsome?
5. Explain Marcus’ view of the VIRTUES.
6. What kinds of things does Marcus believe are worthless which most people cherish and treasure?  [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
7. Which ideas of Heraclitus resonate in Marcus’ thought?
8. Which ideas of Epictetus resonate in Marcus’ thought?
9. Explain Marcus’ arguments on death, human mortality, and the afterlife.  How should we understand what these things are?  Why does Marcus believe that we ought not fear death?  (ii. 11; iv. 14; iv. 47)   [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
10. Explain Marcus’ theology.  What does he believe about the gods and providence?
11. Present Marcus’ Argument for What is Pointless and What is Not (vii. 3).
12. In what way does Marcus think he should be like an emerald? (vii. 15)
13. What arguments does Marcus give against the view that we are born for pleasure and that pleasure benefits us?
14. Present Marcus’ Argument for the Invulnerability of the Soul. (viii. 28; cf. viii. 40, 48)
15. Present Marcus’ Argument for Building a Good Life. (viii. 32)
16. What arguments does Marcus give for the Stoic theory of indifferents? (e.g. ii. 11)
17. Present Marcus’ Get-out-of-bed Argument. (v. 1)
18. Explain Marcus’ view of harm to oneself and harm to one’s community. (v. 22)
19. What arguments does Marcus give against complaining? (x. 3; x. 6)

Lawrence Becker, A New Stoicism

1. What six doctrines (views) does Becker retain in his neo-stoicism?
2. Explain what eudaimonism is (according to Becker).
3. Explain what intellectualism is (according to Becker).
4. Explain what naturalism is (according to Becker).
5. Explain the doctrine of the unity of the virtues (as presented by Becker).
6. Explain what particularism is (according to Becker).
7. Explain the idea of self-mastery (as presented by Becker).
8. What doctrine of ancient Stoicism is abandoned in Becker’s neo-stoicism?  Explain what that doctrine is.
9. Why does Becker reject the view that a stoic life is typically a bleak one?
10. According to Becker, what is relationship between ethics, science, and logic?
11. According to Becker, where among the branches of human inquiry does ethics stand?
12. What does Becker say are the methods of ethics?  What does he think ethics is?
13. How are ethics and empirical knowledge related, according to B.?
14. What picture of the universe is painted by contemporary cosmic science, according to B.?
15. What does B. say are the objects within a deliberative field?
16. Briefly explain Becker’s account of preferences.
17. Briefly explain Becker’s account of categorical commitments.
18. Briefly explain Becker’s account of projects.
19. Identify the three lemmas of stoic practical reasoning (pp.15–20).
20. What does B. say is the single unifying aim in the life of every rational agent?
21. What does B. think is the only plausible candidate for an overarching, final end?
22. Briefly explain what B. means by “following the facts.”
23. Briefly explain (state) Becker’s Axiom of Futility.
24. Briefly explain Becker’s account of norms, individuals, and endeavors.
25. Briefly explain Becker’s contrast between wisdom as practical intelligence (phronēsis) and wisdom as sophia.
26. Briefly explain Becker’s account of virtue as ideal agency.  How is virtue the final end?  How is virtue an activity?
27. In what two senses is virtue unified (according to Becker)?
28. Present in detail Becker’s Argument for Virtue as the Perfection of Agency (11 steps).    [ESSAY CANDIDATE]
29. Describe the case of the hapless pilgrim (p.146) and Becker’s analysis of it.
30. Briefly explain Becker’s account of joy in stoic ethics.

Copyright © 2009 William O. Stephens

last updated 30 November 2009