Weekly Wisdom Quiz

Stoics, Socrates & Citizenship

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

It’s time for the Weekly Wisdom Quiz!

But first… a fantastic opportunity.

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Now, as for this week’s quiz, all questions are based on material published this week on Classical Wisdom.

Answers are available just below the quiz, alongside a roundup of this week’s resources.

See you on the other side…

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1. Which Greek philosopher famously declared, “I am a citizen of the world”?
A) Marcus Aurelius
B) Diogenes the Cynic
C) Socrates
D) Epicurus

2. In the podcast, Dan-el Padilla Peralta critiques the way the term “classical” historically:
A) Excluded non-Greco-Roman traditions from classical status
B) Promoted the use of papyrus
C) Encouraged the study of mathematics
D) Led to the destruction of libraries

3. Euclid of Megara combined Socratic thought with which philosopher’s ideas?
A) Zeno
B) Heraclitus
C) Parmenides
D) Pythagoras

4. Who founded the Cynic school, a semi-Socratic movement that emphasized independence from earthly pleasures?
A) Antisthenes
B) Aristippus
C) Diogenes of Sinope
D) Plato

5. The Stoics used which metaphor to describe humanity’s interconnectedness?
A) A tree with many branches
B) A constellation of stars
C) A single body with many limbs
D) A river with many streams

6. The Cyrenaic school, founded by Aristippus, equated virtue with what?
A) Justice
B) Pleasure
C) Knowledge of Being
D) Detachment from politics

7. Which modern philosopher, cited in How to Be a Citizen of the World, explained the Stoic view as “recognizing humanity wherever it occurs”?
A) Hannah Arendt
B) Martha Nussbaum
C) Isaiah Berlin
D) Michel Foucault

8. What question does Dan-el Padilla Peralta raise about the survival of ancient texts?
A) Whether Latin was superior to Greek
B) Whether only male authors were preserved
C) Whether translation weakens original meaning
D) Whether their survival reflects chance or deliberate choices

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Answers

1. B) Diogenes the Cynic (How to Be a Citizen of the World)

2. A) Excluded non-Greco-Roman traditions from classical status (Who Decides What is Classical?)

3. C) Parmenides (Philosophy’s Forgotten Chapter)

4. A) Antisthenes (Philosophy’s Forgotten Chapter)

5. C) A single body with many limbs (How to Be a Citizen of the World)

6. B) Pleasure (Philosophy’s Forgotten Chapter)

7. B) Martha Nussbaum (How to Be a Citizen of the World)

8. D) Whether their survival reflects chance or deliberate choices (Who Decides What is Classical?)

The Wisdom Scale 🏺

0 - 2 correct: Novice of the Agora 📜
You’ve just stepped into the great conversation. The scrolls await - there’s much wisdom to uncover!

3 - 4 correct: Seeker of Wisdom🔍
You’ve grasped the basics and show a thirst for deeper understanding. Keep exploring the ancient paths.

5 - 6 correct: Scholar of the Classics 🏛️
You walk confidently among the philosophers and poets. Your knowledge bridges myth and reason.

7 - 8 correct: Sage of the Ancients 🌟
Wise as Athena, eloquent as Cicero - you hold the torch of wisdom high. Lead on, enlightened one!

Let us know your score in the comments below!

Until next time…

All the best,

Sean Kelly

Managing Editor

Classical Wisdom