CVSP 201 Final, Fall 1995

CIVILIZATION SEQUENCE 201 January 24,1996 Time: 2.5 hours FINAL EXAMINATION P. Shebaya PART ONE: Brief,concise answers. A. Aristotle’s study of NATURE: briefly define: 1.The continuum of NATURE : 2. Knowledge: the four “causes” (static analysis) 3. Motion: actuality-potentiality ; entelechy ; GOD ( dynamic analysis) B. Aristotle’s “Ethics” : briefly summarize his view of human fulfillment: what does it consist of, and how is it to be achieved ? C. Lucretius’ EPICUREANISM: main aspects D. Virgil: Aeneas’ “STOIC” journey : give a brief summary of the main aspects of STOICISM as illustrated in The Aeneid. E. Virgil: The Aeneid as an interpretation of the meaning of Roman history (brief summary) PART TWO : Discussion questions. Be brief. A. “Might is Right”. 1, Discuss this attitude with reference to Thucydides and Plato. 2. What is your opinion on the subject ? B. Tragedy and Rationalism. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these major approaches to understanding human existence (from your own point of view) ? C. Heroism and the Sophist. 1. What would Thrasymachos think of the “heroic” code (risk your life for honour, truth, principles,...etc.) ? 2. What is your opinion ? Give reasons. Homer as “Teacher” of the Heilenes. *4* Moira; human nature; the Idea of the Good; God; atoms and the void plus the swerve; World-Reason (Jupiter). * How can we trace Homer’s influence on Hellenic-Hellenistic thought by referring to the above concepts ?