Question One, Option One (due June 8): Following Plato in Symposion, why does Socrates, through being instructed by Diotima, believe that the object of love is to reproduce through beauty? What two senses of reproduction does Diotima teach Socrates that there are?

Question One, Option Two (due June 8): Following Aristotle in EN I-II, to what extent does happiness require external goods and a bit of luck? Critically respond to Aristotle's arguments, principally in Book II.

Question Two: Critically discuss Epicurus' contractarian notion of justice in his Principle Doctrines in light of his katastematic hedonism. Is such an account preferable to, say, that of Aristotle, who believes justice is a virtue that is to be pursued without question?

Question Three: Sextus maintains that Pyrrhonic Skeptics are "theoretically" committed to every propositon being cast into doubt by placing it in opposition to its contradictory (e.g., honey is sweet vs. honey is not sweet). Yet he also asserts that Pyrrhonic skeptics do not practice this view (i.e., they do not place into doubt common-sense propositions related to everyday living). Is this view consistent?

Question Four (Final): Canonical Stoicism argues that humans are vulnerable, but it also promises long-term invincibility. Does canonical Stoicism deliver on this promise?

A kylix and a krater, depicting symposiasts. National Archeological Museum, Athens.

Dionysus, God of Merriment, Fertility, Drunkenness       Bust of Alcibiades, Son of Clinais, of Athens

The Symposiasts

1. Socrates: He is about 53 years old at the so-called symposium. He is still alive at the retelling of the symposium.

2. Agathon: “Good.” Flew democracy to the court of Archelaus, who slew his father, uncle, and cousin to gain throne and was assassinated by his lover.

3. Alcibiades: Implicated in the scandal involving the sacred hermae in Athens, recalled to Athens from Sicilian expedition, escaped, and turned traitor to Sparta and then to Persia. He is in his early 30s here, and is a year of two ahead of the scandal.

4. Apollodorus: “Gift of Apollo”. He is a boy when the symposium took place. His telling of the story suggests a time of new hope with a new generation. He is also at the trial of Socrates (Ap. 34b) and his distress over the death of Socrates is noticeable at Phd. 59a-b. He is also present at the very end and his tears make the others bawl (117b). He links Smp. with Ap. and Phd.

5. Aristodemus: “Best of Demes”. Socrates’ companion.

6. Phaedrus: Exiled in connection with Alcibiades.

7. Pausanias: Noted lover of Agathon.

8. Eryximachus: “Belch fighter” (note the connection with hiccups). Exiled in connection with Alcibiades.

9. Aristophanes: “One who makes clear or brings to light the best”. The only member, other than Socrates, who is still alive at the retelling of the symposium.

Four Hermae, from the Greek island Dilos, sacred to the god Apollo. First two, phallus only; last two, head of Hermes with phallus missing.

Bust of Epikuros, the Hedonist