Debate or Guidance? Cicero on Philosophy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23623505 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Malcolm Schofield (0000-0001-9676-0896, University of Cambridge, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Pages | 119-140 |
| Publication date | 2023-03-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Oxford Handbook of Roman Philosophy (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199328383.013.35 |
| OpenAlex | W4353061651 |
| ISBN | 9780199328383 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 13 |
Cicero recognizes a tension between the needs of philosophy as guidance and the vigorous disagreement that is the lifeblood of philosophical debate. This chapter explores his handling of the problem in four of his political and ethical writings. First tackled is a remarkable passage from Book 1 of De legibus, where on fundamentals of public policy silencing of debate is advocated. Next comes a quick look at Book 3 of De republica, where by contrast Cicero stages a confrontation between two views on political justice. Then comes an examination of the complex differing attempts he makes in the Tusculan Disputations to harmonize conflicting philosophical positions in the service of ethical guidance for the individual. Finally, Cicero’s approach to individual guidance in a different literary genre is briefly considered, as exemplified by De officiis, where debate is alluded to but not conducted. Some concluding remarks round off the chapter.
Cicero · Economic Justice · Epistemology · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Augustinian Studies and Theology · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Classics · History · Law · Philosophy
Introduction
Aporia and the New Academy
Cicero on Imperialism and the Soul
The Embassy of the Three Philosophers to Rome in 155 bc1
Cicero in Political Philosophy
Making the World Safe for Utilitarianism
Cicero and the Therapists
Why There Are Ends of Both Goods and Evils in Ancient Ethical Theory
Silencing the Troublemaker
Teaching Pericles
Cicero’s Skepticism and His Recovery of Political Philosophy
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |