This paper shows that in the first book of Tusculan Disputations, the character "A." plays a key role in our evaluation of the disputation's outcome. While A. has a natural aptitude for logic, he also shows a tendency toward wishful thinking. The interplay of these qualities leads him to a certain imbalance in his consideration of life after death (especially the possibility of postmortem punishment) and highlights his need for philosophical rhetoric (perfecta philosophia). Ultimately, however, M.'s attempt to provide this rhetoric does not address A.'s affective needs, which speaks against the disputation's neat resolution of his fear of death.
D. Parker (Wed,) studied this question.