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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. When does Plato return to Athens and begin to write?

2. How does Spinoza explain references to God's halting the natural function of nature on several occasions in the Bible?

3. Who eventually dominates Greek philosophy and government?

4. How does Voltaire think what is wrong with most recorded history could be corrected?

5. What event makes the rival schools of Stoicism and Epicureanism split philosophically?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Spinoza's identification of three ethical systems.

2. What is Voltaire's reaction to Rousseau's suggestion that men were responsible for the deaths in the Lisbon earthquake?

3. Who are the students of Socrates?

4. Describe Spinoza's synonymous dichotomies.

5. Explain why Spinoza gives up everything for philosophy.

6. Explain the reasons for a break between Plato and Aristotle.

7. How does the scope of Bacon's philosophy miss his goal?

8. How does Bacon's reconstruction exceed the work of Aristotle?

9. What is Voltaire's reaction to Voltaire's desire to be a professional writer?

10. How does Durant see the evolution of stoicism into the Christian religion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on Kant's statement: Morality is not properly the doctrine how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy to be happy. Explain what it means and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the philosopher in Durant's book that you find the most interesting. Include in your essay examples of that philosopher's work that are of particular interest to you.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the death of Socrates. In your essay discuss the devotion of his students and why Socrates chooses not to escape Athens but drink the hemlock instead. Be sure to include the real reason Socrates is sentenced to death.

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