cicero

1. CLASS 13
CLASS 13: EWRT 2

2. AGENDA
Review: Thoughts on Machiavelli or Lao-Tzu.
Discussion: Marcus Tullius Cicero "The Defense
of Injustice"
Bio
Rhetorical Strategies
 Questions for Critical Reading
 QHQs
Suggestions for Reading: Thoreau

3. REVIEW DISCUSSION
 Do you agree with Machiavelli’s thesis that stability
and power are the only qualities that matter in the
evaluation of governments? If not, what else
matters?
 Can we have Lao-Tzu’s peace, even though there is
ambition, materialism, war, and famine on earth?
How is it possible?

4. ESSAY #3: REMINDER
Essay #3 will be combined with the
topics for #4.
It will be an in-class essay that will be
given in week 10, class 19.
You will have the questions before the
test.
The total points for the class will change
to 900.
We will discuss this in class the next
time we meet.

6. RESPONDING TO A PROMPT: CICERO #3
Clarify what Philus means by the term “wisdom,” which
he introduces in paragraph 18. How do you understand
his use of the term and how appropriate is the word
“wisdom” for the ideas he describes? Would most
people today regard the behavior he sketches out as
an example of wisdom? Is it wisdom for you? What
moral or ethical problems arise from Philus’s concept
of wisdom?

7. TAKE IT APART AND BRIEFLY RESPOND TO
EACH QUESTION
1. Clarify what Philus means by the term “wisdom,” which he
introduces in paragraph 18.
2. How do you understand his use of the term
a. how appropriate is the word “wisdom” for the ideas he
describes?
3. Would most people today regard the behavior he sketches
out as an example of wisdom?
4. Is it wisdom for you?
5. What moral or ethical problems arise from Philus’s concept
of wisdom?

8. THE THESIS: LOOK AT THE BRIEF ANSWERS YOU GAVE TO THE
QUESTIONS. THEN, BEGIN TO WORK THEM INTO A SHORT ANSWER.
YOUR THESIS WILL LIKELY BE A COMBINATION OF ANSWERS TO THE
MOST IMPORTANT OR COMPELLING OF THE QUESTIONS.
1. Clarify what Philus means by the term “wisdom,” which
he introduces in paragraph 18.
a. How do you understand his use of the term
I. how appropriate is the word “wisdom” for the ideas he describes?
2. Would most people today regard the behavior he
sketches out as an example of wisdom?
a. Is it wisdom for you?
3. What moral or ethical problems arise from Philus’s
concept of wisdom?

9. NOT ONLY A THESIS, BUT AN OUTLINE
Now, write a brief directed summary as an introduction, and conclude it
with your thesis.
Expand your list of questions into an outline.
Find textual support for answers that will come from the text
 Clarify what Philus means by the term “wisdom,” which he introduces in
paragraph 18.
 how appropriate is the word “wisdom” for the ideas he describes?
 What moral or ethical problems arise from Philus’s concept of wisdom?
Find examples or support for answers that will come from another source
 Would most people today regard the behavior he sketches out as an example of
wisdom?
Express your opinion where the question asks for it.
 How do you understand his use of the term [wisdom]
 Is it wisdom for you?

10. PUT YOUR EVIDENCE, EXPLANATION, AND
ANALYSIS INTO YOUR OUTLINE
Directed Summary
Thesis
Section 1: Clarify what Philus means by the term “wisdom,”
which he introduces in paragraph 18.
How do you understand his use of the term
how appropriate is the word “wisdom” for the ideas he describes?
Section 2: Would most people today regard the behavior he
sketches out as an example of wisdom?
Is it wisdom for you?
Section 3: What moral or ethical problems arise from Philus’s
concept of wisdom?
Conclusion

12. MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO: A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was one of the most
important orators, intellectuals, and philosophers in the Roman
Republic.
He was highly educated and served as Quaestor (a financial
administrator) in Sicily, Aedile (an official) in Rome, and as
Praetor (Lawyer). He was eventually elected Consul in 63.
In 44, when Caesar was murdered, Cicero championed the
Republic. He tried to win over Octavian, but failed. He also gave
his greatest speech, the Philipics, aimed at Marc Antony.
However, this backfired, as the Second Triumvirate was formed,
and Cicero's name was on the list of enemies. He fled Rome, but
he was captured and executed.
Cicero's oration, philosophy, rhetoric, poetry, and letters create a
vast collection of works that are matched by few in the modern
world.

14. Argument Dialogue
 (Between Philus and Laelius)
Definition/interpretation
 (What is Justice?)
Offers Alternatives
 (perform injustice/not suffer it;
perform and suffer; neither perform
or suffer it)
Evaluation
 (perform injustice and not
suffer it)
Compares
 (Justice to policies of
Rome)
Contrasts
 (Wisdom with Justice)
Analogy
 (virtuous man vs. ruffian)
Counterargument
 (by Laelius at the end to
make his point)
RHETORICAL STRATEGIES

16. WHY DOES LAELIUS CHOOSE PHILUS TO
ARGUE AGAINST JUSTICE?

17. DOES ARGUING AGAINST A POSITIVE
VALUE HELP OUR UNDERSTANDING OF
THAT VALUE’S IMPORTANCE?

18. WHAT IS PHILUS’S REPUTATION AND HOW DOES IT
AFFECT HIS ARGUMENT?

19. HOW DO IDEAS OF
JUSTICE DIFFER IN THE
DIFFERENT LANDS
PHILUS MENTIONS?

20. ON WHICH SIDE OF THIS ARGUMENT IS CICERO HIMSELF?

21. TO WHAT EXTENT IS PHILUS
A FEMINIST?

22. WHICH OF LAELIUS’S STATEMENTS IN THE FINAL PARAGRAPHS OF THE SELECTION SEEM
WEAKEST TO YOU? WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS?

23. JUSTICE
Suggestions for Critical
Reading
Page 157
• You have already divided up
the questions in the “Critical
Reading” section of the
Thoreau essay.
• If you missed class, you should
answer at least two questions.
• We will reconvene to discuss
the homework

24. HOMEWORK
 Read A World of Ideas: Henry David Thoreau
"Civil Disobedience" (133-157)
 Post #25 Questions (TBD) for Critical Reading:
(page 157)
 Post #26 QHQ Thoreau