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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 becomes of people who live a quiet, private life which incites neither anger nor envy?

2. What is the unusual transgression about, ending Letter LXXXVI?

3. What does Seneca admit that he cares less about as he ages?

4. According to Seneca, what is the fruit of man's own efforts?

5. What includes the studies of literature, rhetoric and history?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What lesson can be learned from the city that burned?

3. List and explain three types of people who, according to Seneca, find philosophy attractive for the wrong reasons.

4. What does Seneca say about people who have an excessive concern with pain?

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

6. What fault does Seneca find in Zeno's logic that a good man will not drink to excess?

7. Which city burned and how did it affect Seneca?

8. How, according to Seneca, are life and philosophy both the gifts of the gods?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and discuss "apatheia."

Essay Topic 2

What is an aphorism and what is Seneca's opinion of them? What is his response to Lucilius when he requests aphorisms?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Zeno's life and his importance to Stoicism.

(see the answer keys)

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