In These Short Selections We Get a Glimpse of Stoic

question 5

Multiple Choice

In these short selections we get a glimpse of stoic philosophy from three of its greatest proponents-Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, who gets the longest excerpt here. Marcus Aurelius urges that our every act should be done deliberately and attentively, following the dictates of reason and avoiding the distracting disorder of the passions. Seneca endorses suicide as a legitimate option in life because "mere living is not a good, but living well . . . [T]he wise man will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can." Epictetus distinguishes between those things in life that are up to us (intentions, desires, etc.) and those things that are not up to us (our bodies, property, reputation, etc.) . If we confuse these two, we will be troubled and impeded. But if we keep them straight, we will be free of burdens, harm, and grief. "Don't seek for things to happen as you wish," he says, "but wish for things to happen as they do, and you will get on well."
-According to Epictetus, if you want what is not up to you to be up to you and what is not yours to be yours, then

• A) you will achieve serenity.
• B) you are a fool.
• C) you are an optimist.
• D) you are master of your will.

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