In These Short Selections We Get a Glimpse of Stoic

question 13

True/False

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."
-To Epictetus, illness is an impediment of the body but not of the will.

---

Definitions:

Functional Unit

The functional unit refers to the smallest structure or component within an organ that is capable of performing the fundamental functions of the organ.

Muscle Contraction

The process in which muscle fibers shorten or generate tension in response to stimuli, involving the sliding of actin and myosin filaments.

Nucleus

The central and most important part of an atom, cell, or molecule, containing protons and neutrons in the case of an atom, and genetic material in the case of a cell.

Labeled Structure

An anatomical or architectural feature that has been identified and named.