An analysis of the self-serving nature of Marcus Tullius Cicero, as depicted in "Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician" by Anthony Everitt.
Abstract The aim of this paper is to evaluate the differing behaviors of Cicero within "Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician" by Anthony Everitt. Although Cicero is often historically described as a moral and unbiased figure within Roman politics, his self-serving and ambitious nature is often overlooked. The paper discusses how Everitt makes a clear case for this within his book, which reveals the error of Cicero's motivations for the Roman government.The paper also analyzes how Cicero's lack of forgiveness and spite ended his attempts to restore justice and virtue to Rome. In essence, the paper evaluates the self-serving and ruthless behaviors of Cicero within Everitt's historical analysis.
From the Paper "The first part of Everitt's historical analysis instills the early ambitions of Cicero's father to instill in his son a good education, which would prepare him for a life in government. Everitt makes this clear when he states: "Cicero's father had high ambitions for his two sons and made sure they were given a good schooling" (Everitt 27). This course of thought is continually discussed within the book, especially when it becomes clear that Cicero actually follows his father's wishes to find fame through his education in the Roman government. Of course, Cicero came from an upper class family and connections with the very heart of the Roman Empire, the City of Rome. "
Abstract The Roman politician and philosopher Cicero, in his writings on friendship, conceived of it as being a high-order relationship; a relationship that was so intense and personal that it seems, in his view, to be more important than any other human bond. However, Cicero was a philosopher and, as such, was honour bound to give consideration to opposing arguments. One view of friendship in particular - what may be termed the cynical or realistic thesis - caused him great difficulty in his discussion. From this perspective, friendship is nothing more than a mode of exchange or an association between two parties for mutual profit or benefit. In this paper we will examine the reasons behind Cicero's difficulty in dismissing this counter-definition of friendship. As a counterpoint to Cicero's view of friendship, we will analyze the depiction of love in the love poetry of John Donne.
Abstract This paper outlines Cicero's theory on what motivates people to act virtuously. Cicero's theory, that people are obligated to act in a honorable manner because they want to cultivate their own interest, is expounded upon, and the four virtues, according to Cicero, that support this obligation are explained.
From the Paper "Cicero in his book "On Obligations" explains how people's behaviors are governed by their keenness to act right as it is an inherent natural tendency. People according to him are obligated to act in a certain manner because they want to cultivate their own interest. In doing so they benefit themselves because once they exchange good words or deeds, they expect the other person honorable enough to do the same for them. Cicero in essence wants to emphasize that objective honorableness is in fact the ends in themselves. They benefit the individual regardless of their position in society, social status or the career they adopt as long as their actions are good and right. For this purpose, he defines obligation as "the highest aim among goods, and at another to the moral guidance which can shape our daily lives in all their aspects."[p.4]. Thus, Using the law of causality we can understand that according to Cicero obligations are essentially good and they are supported by four virtues which are derived from the principle of honorableness."
Abstract This paper describes the life and career of Roman politician, author, and philosopher, Marcus Tullis Cicero. The paper explains how Cicero was instrumental in the Roman political arena and how his writings offer insightful resources to the events surrounding the Republic of Rome. Furthermore, the paper points out that Cicero's writings are also excellent tools of communication and illustrate techniques that are still relevant, especially in the area of law.
From the Paper "Born in January 106 BC, Marcus Tullis Cicero remains one of the most popular orators in ancient history. Because none of his ancestors served in the magistrate, Cicero was an "unusual" (Chodorow 105) man in Roman politics. He is admired primarily for his intelligence and literary talent. Many of Cicero's ambitious beliefs and ideas are still relevant today because they make compassionate appeals regarding mankind and his place in the universe. Cicero studied in Athens and quickly became active in politics. In 70 BC, he successfully pleaded the case of the Sicilians against Verres, who was known for being corrupt. In 63 BC, at a very young age, he attained the highest public office, the consulate. While in office, he resisted an inserrection lead by Cataline. After Caesar's death, he led an opposition against Caesar's lieutenant, Antony, and in 43 BC was murdered by Antony's command."
Abstract This paper discusses how Cicero put together two rather important philosophical works within the realm of political philosophy: "On Commonwealth" and "On Law". It looks at how, though rarely regarded by modern Western philosophers as one of the most influential thinkers within the tradition, Cicero is nonetheless responsible for bringing the classical Greek perspective back into the Roman school of philosophy. It also examines how Cicero also was one of the first philosophers to introduce the notion of Natural Law into the equation of the ideal society--though he is rarely credited with this achievement.
From the Paper "At several points within On Commonwealth and On Law Cicero attempts to illustrate the early days of the Roman republic as being far closer to an in ideal society than the age from which he wrote. He appeals to the great leader, Marius, who was the first consul to arise out of the Republic as an individual leader. Out of the struggles of the Punic Wars, from which Rome created much of its early identity as a state in which anyone could live within, the Roman Republic, in reality, began to deteriorate with the naming of Marius as consul. The Punic Wars lasted over a century--between 264 BCE and 146 BCE--but by the time that Rome finally managed to utterly defeat its only major Mediterranean rival, the vast empire that had been accumulated could no longer be stably supported by the Republic as it had functioned until that point. "
Abstract This paper examines Cicero's examination of "De Re Publica" ? those matters of concern to public discourse, the etymology of our word "republic" as expressed in his work of that title. The paper discusses these ideas of Cicero's on the republic and shows them to be similar in important ways to the Greek concept of the polis. The paper also describes how these ideas differ from the Greek concepts.
From the Paper "If we think of a single one of the great classical thinkers as having a claim to define the nature of the ideal republic, it would most likely be Plato, who wrote so eloquently on the nature of this form of government. But, without meaning to slight the thoughts and work of Plato, we must not ignore Cicero's contributions to the creation of a model of an ideal republic."
Abstract Marcus Tullius Cicero was born on January 3, 106 BC and was murdered on December 7, 43 BC. This paper discusses the life of this influential Roman orator, writer and philosopher whose works provide us with valuable information about the political events of Rome during his life-time.
From the Paper "Cicero decided to start his difficult climb in Roman politics as a lawyer. In his first famous public trial, he defended one Sextus Roscius against the charge of murdering his own father. In fact, the charge was hatched by three of the father's enemies, including Chrysogonus, a henchman of the then-dictator, Sulla. Cicero not only refuted the murder charge but launched a full-scale assault on Chrysogonus as a corrupt official. Though careful to point out that Sulla could not be expected to know the misdeeds of every underling, Cicero risked the anger of a murderous dictator to clear his client of false charges, and helped promote the importance of honesty as a moral foundation of the Republic."
Abstract This paper discusses that Cicero, John Milton and Immanuel Kant all believed that democracy was necessary for a reasonable society. The author points out that their ideas advanced the notion that democracy is the means of fostering representative government, freedom of speech, and the maintenance of individual dignity and rights.
From the Paper "The question addressed herein is, "Is it possible to have a reasonable society in the absence of democracy and if so how?" If not, why not. It will be argued drawing upon the ideas advanced by Cicero John Milton and Immanuel ..."
Abstract This paper first explains Aristotle's belief that rhetoric is a tool that could do both great good and great harm and thus could not itself be one of the great truths of the world. The paper then compares this to Cicero's view that rhetoric was an art form that required practice and skill and was the only true method of political discourse and an absolute necessity in the formation and exercise of good government.
From the Paper "As children we are conditioned to a particular form of discourse that is framed by a significantly complex set of variables including our culture, gender, ethnicity, birth order, political identity and power, religion, and personality. How we employ words, in what context, and with what relative level of effectiveness is determined by all of these factors and more. Rhetoric is, however effectively argued over, a tool to be used within verbal discourse with the intent to convince others of a particular point of view. Political speech is perhaps the most obvious form of rhetoric we experience, but it is also employed in attempts to sell us things, to get others to go on dates, to win jobs and promotions, and to teach our children lessons on how to live life."
Tags: politics, speech, communication, persuasion, oratory, truth
Abstract This paper first highlights the difference in purpose between the various authors: How Cicero is trying to besmirch Clodia's reputation, while Catullus and Propertius are working with a love object to some extent characterised for poetic purposes. The groundbreaking use of language in Catullus is discussed, as is the use of myth in both Propertius and Catullus. It also looks at how the speech of Cicero is a useful exponent of contemporary sexual mores and highbrow rhetoric.
From the Paper "The Roman authors Catullus, Propertius, and Cicero (in his pro Caelio oration) all produce literature which deals in an interesting way with women. This can be exhibited in different ways: for example, in his poems Catullus sees his Lesbia very much as a love object, since he often makes wild claims about his incredible love for her and his belief that they are married. Still, Sex is definitely involved in his poems about their relationship, but it seems he concentrated more on analysing their split than purely erotic poetry."
Abstract What is perfection when it comes to age, sex, politics, love, fiction, and life? Does aging alter the perfection of one's self? Do men perfect more than women? Do those in politics have a higher sense of who they are? When it comes to searching for perfection, how do you know that you have reached a higher perception of the perfection of who you are?
Examines "Hamlet", Cicero, and Wolf for answers.
Abstract Discusses the trait of will or volition and argues that humans have free will in some of their choices, and these choices are not predestined. Covers the ideas of Cicero, Augustine, and Thomas Nagel.
From the Paper "The debate over the factor of freewill or fate in the existence of humankind has been going on since before the time of Marcus Tullius Cicero (Augustine 216). In contrast to Aurelius Augustine, who argued that both freewill and fate are part of the human..."
Compares ancient philosopher Marcus Tullus Cicero's philosophy on the nature of justice with that of modern philosophers such as John Rawls and Martha Nussbamu
Abstract This paper compares ancient Roman politician and philosopher Marcus Tullus Cicero's philosophy on the nature of justice with that of modern philosophers, John Rawls and Martha Nussbaum. The paper looks at Rawls' and Nussbaum's theories of justice and expands upon their social contract theory to examine how to better preserve justice in a modern nation, balance the rights of the majority and the minority and create a more economically balanced society.
From the Paper "Nussbaum's fundamentally distinct nature as a thinker is in her stress on women as a category. Even in traditional societies, they cannot be viewed as fundamentally distinct from men. Individual women can choose to live in a traditional manner but this does not mean that the state can justify limiting gender equality because the majority of women might wish to do so. Thus, again like Rawls, she believes that strict utilitarianism or democracy is not feasible. But Nussbaum does not limit her discussion redistributing the economic resources of the nation like Rawls; she also focuses on the nation's political resources or human rights."
Abstract This paper discusses the tension between man's inner desire to do what he wants and the universal need to do the right and proper thing, as discussed by St. Augustine.
From the Paper "Confessions, written by St. Augustine, is considered by most to be the forerunner of the modern autobiography. In it, Augustine talks about a number of things, including his childhood, his conversion to Christianity, and a good deal of philosophy. Throughout most of the autobiographical portion of the work, there is a noticeable tension between the Christian and the Classical?Augustine seems to say over and over again that he knows in his heart that he should bend toward the Bible and follow God, yet he continually chooses the Classical (or at least the non-Christian) over the Christian."
Abstract This paper discusses Plato's ideas on how we discover truth with continual dialogue. The author looks at Plato's theories about the objective of dialectic and rhetoric and compares the two arguing that while rhetoric is used as a tool for persuasion, dialectic is used as a tool to achieve truth.
From the paper:
"An editorial in The Daily Princetonian of February 21, 2000 extols alcohol as ?the world's most extraordinary beverage,? noting specifically that alcohol's effects are akin to a truth serum. Through a Platonic lens, this statement comes to acute focus. Alcohol is widely noted as a conversational stimulus where participants are less inhibited in expressing opinions. Platonic congruity arises because Plato espouses dialectic, a candid give and take discourse, as a means to discovering immutable Truth. Thus, even Plato could consent to The Daily Princetonian's judgment (Brummett 25)."
Tags: aristotle, cicero, de, gorgias, oratore, plato, rhetoric, sophist, theory
