Cicero's "On Obligations"

Paper Summary:

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."

More papers on Cicero's "On Obligations":

• Comparison Essay # 19605 : "Machiavelli's "The Prince" and Cicero's "On Moral Obligation"
• Essay # 11812 : "Cicero on Violence"
• Analytical Essay # 129778 : "The Self-Serving Nature of Cicero"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: