Problem
1) Reading 9 contains selections from two texts, Plato's Laws and Aristotle's Rhetoric, that discuss ways in which human physiological states are correlated with or cause corresponding psychological or emotional states.
2) In the selections from Plato's Laws, the main speaker (an anonymous Athenian) has been talking with two friends, one from Sparta and one from Crete, about how to educate people and make them good, virtuous citizens. When the Athenian initially suggests to them that drinking wine has educational and moral benefits, his friends are scandalized: the customs of their cities, they report, condemn drinking alcohol and view it as an obstacle to virtue and good citizenship. In our passages, the Athenian defends drinking wine against their criticism.
3) In the selection from Aristotle's Rhetoric, Aristotle describes the different emotional temperaments that men tend to have at different stages in their lives: youth, adulthood, and old age.
a) Why is drinking morally beneficial, according to the Athenian? Are his arguments convincing? Why or why not?
b) What are some of the key differences between young people and old people, according to Aristotle?