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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. How does Fortune sometimes appear to be according to Philosophy?

2. What topic does Philosophy say is enormous?

3. What does Philosophy argue bodily pleasure being identical to happiness would mean for animals?

4. What does Philosophy say about men trying to find happiness?

5. What is happiness according to Philosophy's argument?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the essence of true happiness as introduced at the beginning of Book III?

2. What does Book III claim about the insufficiency of achieving a high office?

3. Why do the five goods eventually disappoint their possessors?

4. What does the woman remark about randomness and order?

5. How are actions their own rewards, as stated in Book IV?

6. How would the desire of bodily pleasures balance themselves out?

7. What metaphysical principle does the woman address and why is this significant?

8. What has nature ordained, according to Book III and what does this say about man's goal?

9. In Book IV, what can be concluded about the wicked being punished?

10. Why does the woman correct Boethius' statement about wishing that the evil would lose the ability to persecute the good?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Boethius discusses God as the attainment of perfect happiness in Book III. Discuss how Boethius tries to prove God's existence based on our inadequate desires and true happiness. Students should discuss why Boethius believes seeking happiness through earthly desires is futile. Students should use the text to support their statements.

Essay Topic 2

One of the metaphysical principles discussed in "The Consolation of Philosophy" is the notion that the perfect causes the imperfect so that something must first possess what it causes. Discuss whether or not this is true and argue your case with a specific example, using textual references to support your stance.

Essay Topic 3

Boethius was influenced by Stoicism. Discuss the influence that Stoicism had on Boethius and his writing of "The Consolation of Philosophy". Students may use secondary sources as well as a primary text to develop their conclusions.

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This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample