Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The "Meditations" of Marcus Aurelius (Extra Credit)
Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.
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I chose the first three lines of the reading.
ReplyDeleteFROM my grandfather Verus [I learned] good morals and the government of my temper. 1
2. From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character. 2
3. From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich.
What he describes he learned from these people are all great qualities that a good emperor should have. I espically like the one about the goverment of his temper. A good value to have in a emperor and anyone for that matter would be able to control their temper.
17. To the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends, nearly everything good. Further, I owe it to the gods that I was not hurried into any offence against any of them, though I had a disposition which, if opportunity had offered, might have led me to do something of this kind; but, through their favour, there never was such a concurrence of circumstances as put me to the trial.
ReplyDeleteI chose line 17... He thanks the Gods for all of his family and the way the raised him. He remembers where he came from and doesn't believe he is the way he is all on his own. At times he didn't like his upbringing but is now thankful for it. It's all part of growing up. I think it's an important quality to have a good sense of where you came from and all your important influences.
14.From my brother Severus, to love my kin, and to love truth, and to love justice; and through him I learned to know Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dion, Brutus; and from him I received the idea of a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed; I learned from him also consistency and undeviating steadiness in my regard for philosophy, and a disposition to do good, and to give to others readily, and to cherish good hopes, and to believe that I am loved by my friends; and in him I observed no concealment of his opinions with respect to those whom he condemned, and that his friends had no need to conjecture what he wished or did not wish, but it was quite plain.
ReplyDeleteI chose this line, because this shows values of a good emperor to listen to the people and to forgive if the person was to make a mistake and that the person knows they committed the mistake, but to still punish a person if they over do the inncident of break a rule and in a serious way.
11. From Fronto I learned to observe what envy and duplicity and hypocrisy are in a tyrant and that generally those among us who are called Patricians are rather deficient in paternal affection.
ReplyDeleteI think the ability to recognize a tyrant is a good thing for an emperor to have, because it may stop him from becoming a tyrant himself. Also it would be good when dealing with people from both within his own government and foreign ones.
I also like the last half of that line. I'm not sure what exactly what it seems like he learned about aristocrasy. It seems like he is making fun of their mental states because they had daddy issues.
Jon Hepola
5. "From my governor... not to meddle with other people’s affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander."
ReplyDeleteI think this is a nice concept coming from someone who wielded absolute power, as would an emperor. Aurelius seems to have focused on the administrative duties of his office, and kept away from exerting his influence over the personal lives of his subjects, as too many other rulers have done.
Also, by ignoring slander against others and himself, he rose above many. He didn't let gossip against some dictate his opinions of them, although this led to his turning a blind eye towards his son's tendencies. Also, he didn't persecute those who made sport at his expense, the way Domitian did.
8. From Apollonius I learned freedom of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose; and to look to nothing else, not even for a moment, except to reason; and to be always the same in sharp pains, on the occasion of the loss of a child, and in long illness; and to see clearly in a living example that the same man can be both most resolute and yielding, and not peevish in giving his instruction; and to have had before my eyes a man who clearly considered his experience and his skill in expounding philosophical principles as the smallest of his merits; and from him I learned how to receive from friends what are esteemed favours, without being either humbled by them or letting them pass unnoticed
ReplyDeletethis shows that you should always try see clearly no matter the problem and that you should also honor what your friend do for you
Ruth Wilson
ReplyDelete"In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation"
This is a trait that would be good in anybody, not just an emperor. Starting wars based on half-assed assumptions is a great way to kill lots of people at best or lose control of the empire and/or your life at worst.
"From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness"
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because I feel that in all circumstances, it is necessary to find cheerfulness. This trait to me seems to be an important one because in times of extreme disparity and chaos, it is extremely important to keep your head up and prevail although the conditions may not seem escapable. In many instances it seems that emperors or leaders can buckle under pressure or hard situations but a leader who can see the light at the end of the tunnel regardless of the circumstances and can see the glass as being half full can rise above the situation and prevail.