Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed

Description

This book is a clear and concise introduction to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. His one major surviving work, often titled 'meditations' but literally translated simply as 'to himself', is a series of short, sometimes enigmatic reflections divided seemingly arbitrarily into twelve books and apparently written only to be read by him. For these reasons Marcus is a particularly difficult thinker to understand. His musings, framed as 'notes to self' or 'memoranda', are the exhortations of an earnest, conscientious Stoic burdened with the onerous responsibilities of ruling an entire, enormousempire.William O. Stephens lucidly sketches Marcus Aurelius' upbringing, family relations, rise to the throne, military campaigns, and legacy, situating his philosophy amidst his life and times, explicating the factors shaping Marcus' philosophy, and clarifying key themes in the Memoranda. Specifically designed to meet the needs of students seeking a thorough understanding of this key figure and his major work, Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed is the ideal guide for understanding this Stoic author - the only philosopher who was also an emperor. " Cover Half-Title Series editor Title Copyright Dedications Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements 1. The Man, the Emperor, the Thinker The Man Judging a Book by Its Title The Family and Boyhood of “Truest” The Philosopher-Prince The Early Reign A Stoic at War Father and Son The Thinker 2. The Influence of Heraclitus and Epictetus Heraclitus The divine law of logos Sleeping, waking, remembering Harmony of opposites River Flux, fire, and fortitude Epictetus Plato’s Socrates as a Stoic hero Mighty mind and beastly body Death’s door The theater of life 3. Wholes and Parts Simple Mereology The Parts of a Person Cosmic Holism Death Harmlessly Transforms Limbs of the Social Body The Bees and the Hive What, Then, is the Good of the Individual Citizen? 4. Time, Transience, and Eternity The Rushing River of Existence All that Happens Happened Before Time Quickly Erases The Gift of the Present You Can’t Lose What You Don’t Have 5. Virtues, Vices, and Junk Determine its Nature, Substance, Cause, Purpose, and Duration Stupid, Paltry, Decaying, Putrid, Filthy, Vile, Contemptible, Worthless Junk Ashes, Bones, and Smoke What in Us Should We Prize? The Task of Philosophy Goodness is Your Job: Perfect Your Character Justice and Reverence, Injustice and Blasphemy The Self-cleaning Spring and the All-consuming Fire What is Owed to Others Epilogue: The Soul of a Stoic Appendix: Marcus, Maximus, and Stoicism in Gladiator (2000) Notes Glossary Further Reading Subject Index Name Index