de Amicitia (On Friendship)

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.)

Written in 44 B.C.

Terms

Participants in the Dialogue

Discussion  Questions:

  1. Why does Cicero write this dialogue?
  2. Describe Laelius’ feelings about the death of Scipio. What are Laelius’ feelings about life after death?
  3. What is Laelius’ definition of friendship?
  4. How does Laelius connect friendship with philosophy and the natural world?
  5. What are the origins of friendship, according to Laelius? Why do people seek friendships?
  6. How does Laelius disagree with the Epicureans and agree with the Stoics?
  7. What are some of the causes for friendships to breakdown?
  8. How far should we go in aiding friends?
  9. What does Laelius think about criticizing one’s friends?
  10. What are sycophants and why do they not make good friends?

Bibliography:

Adam, John Paul, "Virtus," <http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/fides.html>.

Baltzly, Dirk, "Stoicism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2013/entries/stoicism/>.

Konstan, David, "Epicurus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2013/entries/epicurus/>.