Paper 1: Critically discuss Athene's role in the trial of Orestes? If Apollo represents reason and the Furies represent vengeance (anger), what does Athene represent? Is her method of placating the Furies reasonable?

Paper 2: Flesh out Glaucon's "contractarian argument" at the beginning of Book II of Republic. Is this view compelling? Does Socrates give an adequate alternative in Book IV?

Paper 3: What does Rousseau believe is the founding act of civil society? Why does he think that humans would be happier in the state of nature? Be sure to include a thorough discussion of Rousseau's distinction between savage and citizen in your reply. Include also some discussion of liberty, passion, and reason.

Paper 4: What is the ascetic ideal for Nietzsche? Why does he think that it is a "will to nothingness"? Critically discuss from the perspective of religious nihilism or scientific/philosophical nihilism.

Paper 5: Why do the Stoics believe that sagacity (i.e., being virtuous) entails invincibility, but not invulnerability? Critically discuss how the heoric ideal, typified by virtue and endurance, fits in.