(Reminder: You do not have to do this particular paper. You need to do
any four short papers (or three short papers plus a presentation), plus
the major semester paper, over the course of the semester.)
Option
One
As R.K. Sprague notes, some scholars have thought
that the Anonymus Iamblichi
writer was influenced by Democritus' ethical/political writings. There
are other possible philosophical influences as well.
Choose one philosopher whom we have studied this
semester and compare and contrast with the Anonymus Iamblichi on law, justice,
and/or the best life. (If you select Democritus, you'll need to look
beyond the McKirahan text; two possibilities are Kirk, Raven, and
Schofield's The Pre-Socratic
Philosophers (on reserve in the JC Library) and Freeman's Ancilla to the Presocratic Philosophers.)
You may certainly quote the text, but when you do so
you must explain what you think the quotations mean and imply. There is
no need to use any sources other than the assigned and listed
recommended texts. Your discussion of these secondary texts should not
simply repeat or paraphrase their arguments, but should also show your
assessment of their accuracy and of the sufficiency of the support they
give for their points. This paper should be approximately 4-5 pages
long (typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins). It is due
in class on April 27 or May 4.
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Option
Two
Same as Option One, but use the Dissoi Logoi instead of the Anonymus Iamblichi.