Unit II
In the ancient world, philosophy wasn’t just something to believe—it was something to do.
In this assignment, you’ll sample the lived experience of one of two very different philosophical traditions: the Platonic path of reason and inner order, or the Cynic rebellion against society and convention.
Choose one of the following practices (or propose your own!) and live it for 2–5 days. Journal your experience along the way and reflect on what you learned—about yourself, about philosophy, and about what it means to live a good life.
But First... A Metaphor: The Charioteer of the Soul
In Plato’s Phaedrus, the soul is imagined as a chariot pulled by two horses:
One is noble and guided by honor and higher aspiration.
The other is wild, driven by desire, impulse, and appetite.
The charioteer—reason—must train and guide these horses to pull in harmony, steering the soul toward the Good. When reason is weak or inattentive, the chariot veers off course. But when the charioteer gains mastery, the soul becomes ordered, harmonious, and free.
This metaphor invites you to see yourself as a rational soul in motion, always being pulled in different directions—and to practice identifying with your rational self. In other words, you have to train to identify with reason, as opposed to emotion or desire.
Plato-Inspired Assignments
Option 1—The Inner Charioteer Thought Journal
Goal: Learn to spot and name the different "parts of the soul" as they arise in daily life.
Instructions:
For three days, keep a running journal with three columns labeled:
Appetite (e.g., cravings, impulses, bodily desires)
Emotion (e.g., pride, anger, anxiety, sadness)
Reason (e.g., long-term thinking, ethical principles, calm decisions)
Every few hours, check in: Which part of your soul was in control recently?
End each day with a short reflection: What would the charioteer have done differently?
Option 2—Delay & Decide
Goal: Practice putting reason in the driver’s seat by building your “pause” muscle.
Instructions:
For 48 hours, choose one impulsive behavior to interrupt (e.g., phone-checking, snacking, reacting emotionally).
Each time the impulse arises, pause and ask:“Is this the noble horse or the wild one pulling the reins?”
Wait 30 seconds. Let the rational part weigh in. Then decide.
Journal your experience: When did reason win? How did that feel?
Diogenes the Rebel
If Plato’s soul was a charioteer seeking divine order, Diogenes was the wild dog who barked at the very idea. He mocked reason, ridiculed propriety, and lived in radical poverty, all to show how shallow and enslaving society’s values really were.
For the Cynics, the good life wasn’t about inner harmony—it was about freedom. Self-sufficiency. Shamelessness. The courage to live by nature, not by convention.
Here are some Cynic-Inspired assignments...
Option 3—The Radical Simplicity Challenge
Prompt: For 3–5 days, drastically simplify your life.
Choose an area: clothing, tech, food, spending, or grooming.
Use only the bare minimum.
Reframe discomfort as training.
Journal (or record voice notes) each day on how your self-sufficiency feels.
Bonus: Try one task without shame in public (eat plain food on a bench, dress plainly, speak bluntly but kindly).
Option 4—Domestication Detox
Prompt: Pick a way that society has “domesticated” you—made you docile, dependent, or eager to please.
Spend a day or weekend rejecting that conditioning.
This doesn’t mean being rude—it means being free.
At the end, reflect: Did I feel more human, or less? Was I more honest?
Option 5—Cynic Self-Talk Makeover
Prompt: For one week, replace self-critical or status-chasing inner chatter with Cynic-style affirmations.
Examples:
“This desire is not a need.”
“Let them laugh—I am free.”
“The dog is not ashamed.”
“Comfort breeds weakness.”
Write a few of your own. Keep them visible. Say them aloud. Train your mind to bark back at convention.
Submission Guidelines
After completing your chosen assignment, submit a short write-up (500 - 1,000 words) that includes the following:
Option Selected
Begin by clearly stating which option you chose (e.g., Option 3: The Radical Simplicity Challenge).Description of the Practice
Briefly describe how you carried it out—what you did, how long you did it, what your version of the assignment looked like in practice.Reflections & Takeaways
Reflect thoughtfully on your experience. Some guiding questions:What challenges or surprises did you encounter?
Did you notice any changes in your thinking, habits, or self-perception?
How did the practice relate to the philosophy behind it?
Would you continue this practice in some form? Why or why not?
Philosophical Connection
Connect your experience to course ideas or readings.Use at least one specific concept or quote from the relevant philosopher that relates to your assignment.
Try to bridge theory and practice—What did living the philosophy teach you about it?
Note: Optional Video Submission
If you’d prefer, you may submit a video instead of a written response for this assignment.
Because this is a lived philosophy project, video works especially well for capturing your voice, tone, and personal reflections.
Video Guidelines:
Length: 4–8 minutes
Begin with: “I chose Option #___”
Include:
A summary of what you did
Reflections on what you noticed, learned, or struggled with
Any moments of insight, frustration, humor, or transformation
End with (choose one):
“What I learned about myself”
“How this made me think differently about philosophy”
“Would I do this again?”
You’re welcome to record your video casually—phone camera, Zoom, whatever works. No need for fancy editing. Just be thoughtful and authentic.
If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out. Otherwise, feel free to submit either a written response (500–1,000 words) or a video (5–8 minutes).
