Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Socrates says he's completely happy, and challenges Dan by asking if he is. Is happiness the most important thing? How important is your own happiness in deciding what to do in life?
- How are women regarded in this novel, a book that is mostly comprised of a pair of men talking to each other about ideas? Two women instantly drop everything to move across the country to live with Dan, no questions asked, as soon as he brings up the possibility. Are these women's motivations realistic?
- When a beggar asks Dan for change, he refuses to give any. This incident, the single reference to economic injustice in the novel, serves solely to illustrate how foolish Dan is for letting the matter bother him at all. Is that the correct or ethical response to social or political issues?
- Socrates says his way of life is the right one. Might other people do better living differently, or is the way of the peaceful warrior the ideal for every single person?
- What is the role of relationships—romantic, familial, friendly—in human life, according to Socrates? Does he give the topic proper consideration?
- Socrates tells Dan the peaceful warrior rises above his circumstances. How possible is it to do that? Are people ever victims of massive historical forces beyond their control? For example, are people dramatically constrained by where they live?
- Joseph says it doesn't matter where he moves (4.338); Socrates says what career you pick is irrelevant (6.122); Dan concludes nothing can possibly matter (8.71). Does anything matter? Do any people bear any degree of moral or ethical responsibility for their choices? Are some choices better than others?
- Do you agree with Socrates' philosophy? If not, are there at least some aspects of it you do agree with and can still make use of?