Table of Contents
What does Marcus Aurelius mean by reason?
By being innately rational, Aurelius believes that people who live by reason are in tune, or at one with who they are, since they are not only recognizing but also participating in, and copying, the higher immaterial aspects of the universe.
Why did Marcus Aurelius write the meditations?
Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180.
What is the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius?
He was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family. Growing up, Marcus Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. But his greatest intellectual interest was Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized fate, reason, and self-restraint.
How does Marcus Aurelius define Stoicism?
Stepping back from emotional and physical chaos to reach a state of calm, clear-headed thinking is the bedrock of Stoicism, a philosophy famously practiced by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. It also shows how the philosophy can help with the challenges of modern life, including work.
What is reason in stoicism?
The Stoics accepted that universal Reason (logos) is the cause of the cosmos, and our human minds are formed by that same Reason in such a manner that allows us to understand the world in which we live.
What does Marcus mean?
Marcus is a traditionally masculine name with Gaelic and Latin roots. It can mean “polite,” “shining,” and/or “hammer,” a somewhat violent reference that makes sense with Marcus’ overlap root word with the Roman god of war, Mars.
Did Marcus Aurelius really write meditations?
Marcus Aurelius wrote the Meditations, his reflections in the middle of campaigning and administration. The extent to which he intended it to be seen by others is uncertain. It shows the strong influence of Stoicism on Marcus and has been held by generations as the thoughts of a philosopher-king.
How do we know Marcus Aurelius wrote the meditations?
Marcus studied rhetoric under Fronto for many years, and learned certain techniques from him that appear to have shaped the writing of The Meditations. As we’ll see, Marcus studied rhetoric under Fronto for many years, and learned certain techniques from him that appear to have shaped the writing of The Meditations.
Is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius philosophy?
Nevertheless, the Meditations remain essentially a philosophical text. As has already been noted, the Meditations are a personal notebook, written by Marcus to himself and for his own use. They do not form a theoretical treatise designed to argue for a particular doctrine or conclusion; their function is different.
What is its nature Marcus Aurelius?
We need, in the words of Marcus Aurelius, “to live as nature requires.” The simplest way to understand this is to know that we were made for others, not ourselves. Nature is unselfish and we should be too. We should work towards something larger than ourselves, a collective good while treating people justly and fairly.