Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed PDF
Preview Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed
MARCUS AURELIUS: A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED Continuum Guides for the Perplexed Continuum’s Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material. Guides for the Perplexed available from Continuum: Aristotle: A Guide for the Perplexed, John Vella Plato: A Guide for the Perplexed, Gerald A. Press Socrates: A Guide for the Perplexed, Sara Ahbel-Rappe Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed, M. Andrew Holowchak Suetonius: A Guide for the Perplexed, Tristan Power MARCUS AURELIUS: A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED WILLIAM O. STEPHENS Continuum International Publishing Group The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX 80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038 www.continuumbooks.com ©William O. Stephens 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. William O. Stephens has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-4411-0179-2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stephens, William O., 1962— Marcus Aurelius: a guide for the perplexed/William O. Stephens. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 978-1-4411-0810-4 (pbk.) –ISBN 978-1-4411-2561-3 (hardback) 1. Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, 121–180. 2. Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, 121-180. Meditations. 3. Stoics. I. Title. B583.S74 2011 188–dc23 2011017882 For my father CONTENTS List of Illustrations Acknowledgments 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 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Bust of Marcus Aurelius in the first portrait type, circa 140 CE Genealogical diagram Marcus’ Roman Empire The Northern Frontiers
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