2. AGENDA
Thoughts on Machiavelli or Lao-Tzu
Introduce Essay #3: Justice: Due Nov 13
Discussion: Marcus Tullius Cicero "The Defense of
Injustice"
Bio
Rhetorical Strategies
Questions for Critical Reading
QHQs
Suggestions for Reading: Thoreau
Student Evaluations: Dr. Carol Cini: 11:40-12:00
3. FOR 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: JUSTICE
Essay #3 will be in response to either the excerpt
from Cicero, Thoreau, or both.
Choose your topic from "Suggestions for
Writing" on pages 129-30, prompts 1-9 or on
pages 157-58 prompts 1-6. The prompts are also
listed on the website.
It should be a least one page long but not longer than
two pages (excluding a works cited page).
It should be formatted MLA style.
It is due November 13 (a week from today)
5.
6. 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.
7.
8. RHETORICAL STRATEGIES
Argument Dialogue Compares
(Between Philus and Laelius) (Justice to policies of
Definition/interpretation Rome)
(What is Justice?) Contrasts
Offers Alternatives (Wisdom with Justice)
(perform injustice/not suffer it;
perform and suffer; neither perform Analogy
or suffer it) (virtuous man vs. ruffian)
Evaluation Counterargument
(perform injustice and not (by Laelius at the end to
suffer it)
make his point)
16. WHICH OF LAELIUS’S STATEMENTS IN THE FINAL PARAGRAPHS OF THE SELECTION SEEM
WEAKEST TO YOU? WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS?
17.
18. 1. Why does Cicero choose to present his persuasive
argument in a manner that appears to advocate the
opposing side of his argument? Was the point for justice
made?
2. Does Philus make injustice more appealing by the use of
his words? Is it possible to argue against a positive value
and then change your mind about that positive value?
3. Does the concept of “natural law” belong in the context of
justice within any given society? If natural law is
inseparable from justice than how necessary are laws
that are man made (positive law)?
19. 1. Why does the idea of justice vary so
much?
2. How is justice formed if the nature of it
differs from one place to another?
3. Does true justice exist at all?
4. What is the difference between wisdom
and justice?
20. 1. Can some of Philus’ statements be related
to Lao-Tzu’s teachings?
2. Would Philus be considered as extreme as
Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli or in between?
3. Why is Philus so focused on governments
in chaos and those with wisdom? How
does this idea intersect with the ideas of
Machiavelli and Lao-Tzu
21. • Get into your teams
• Divide up the questions for
critical reading the Thoreau
piece.
JUSTICE
Suggestions for Critical
Reading
Page 157
22. Read A World of Ideas: Henry David Thoreau
"Civil Disobedience" (133-157)
Post #25 Questions (TBD) for Critical Reading:
(page 157)
Post #26 Pass
HOMEWORK
