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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. What is the unusual transgression about, ending Letter LXXXVI?
(a) Transplanting sheep organs.
(b) Transplanting human organs.
(c) Transplanting trees.
(d) Transplanting flowers.

2. Which line of studies does Seneca say tends to have a special temptation to vanity?
(a) Sciences.
(b) Business and politics.
(c) History.
(d) Liberal arts.

3. What becomes of people who live a quiet, private life which incites neither anger nor envy?
(a) They are bored.
(b) They accomplish nothing.
(c) They remain safe.
(d) They are stoned.

4. What kind of events does Seneca say upsets people the most?
(a) Planned events.
(b) Calm events.
(c) Surprise events.
(d) Hysterical events.

5. According to Seneca, what is death?
(a) An unconscious state of non-existence or a better state than life.
(b) A doorway into a wonderful after life.
(c) Nothing but an unconscious state of non-existence.
(d) The gateway to Heaven and an opportunity to meet the gods.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Seneca, who has a misguided interest in philosophy?

2. According to his criticism in Letter CVIII, what does Seneca say literary scholars should do with philosophical theories?

3. Where is Seneca when he writes Letter LXXXVI?

4. What is a syllogism?

5. According to Seneca, what destroyed man's harmonic relationship with nature?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What advice does Seneca give for staying safe?

3. What is the Stoic concept of causation?

4. Why does Seneca object to Posidinus' claims that philosopher's ruled during the Golden Age and were responsible for many new technological innovations?

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

6. How does Seneca feel about moving to improve studies?

7. Why does Seneca say the Stoic account of causation is better than both Aristotle's and Plato's?

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

9. Who was Scipio and why does Seneca praise him?

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

(see the answer keys)

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