Nancy Sherman
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195315912
- eISBN:
- 9780199851201
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195315912.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy
This chapter discusses grief and the Stoic notions of mourning and appropriate decorum in grieving. Cicero's candid reflections about the loss of his beloved daughter Tullia in letters, and his ...
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This chapter discusses grief and the Stoic notions of mourning and appropriate decorum in grieving. Cicero's candid reflections about the loss of his beloved daughter Tullia in letters, and his developed ideas about a therapy of grief in the Tusculan Disputations, provide some of the most insightful writings on this subject. This chapter argues that the question of how and whether one should grieve is reflected deep in the dialectic of Stoic discourse itself. It begins with several objections Seneca raised to specific forms of grief as well as his own proposals for acceptable forms of grief. It then turns to Cicero's analysis and his recommendations for both the reduction of grief and its cure. Throughout, this chapter generously draws on illustrations from the military as ways of assessing Stoic claims.Less
This chapter discusses grief and the Stoic notions of mourning and appropriate decorum in grieving. Cicero's candid reflections about the loss of his beloved daughter Tullia in letters, and his developed ideas about a therapy of grief in the Tusculan Disputations, provide some of the most insightful writings on this subject. This chapter argues that the question of how and whether one should grieve is reflected deep in the dialectic of Stoic discourse itself. It begins with several objections Seneca raised to specific forms of grief as well as his own proposals for acceptable forms of grief. It then turns to Cicero's analysis and his recommendations for both the reduction of grief and its cure. Throughout, this chapter generously draws on illustrations from the military as ways of assessing Stoic claims.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226305776
- eISBN:
- 9780226305196
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226305196.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
The third and fourth books of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations deal with the nature and management of human emotion: first grief, then the emotions in general. In lively and accessible style, Cicero ...
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The third and fourth books of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations deal with the nature and management of human emotion: first grief, then the emotions in general. In lively and accessible style, Cicero presents the insights of Greek philosophers on the subject, reporting the views of Epicureans and Peripatetics and giving a detailed account of the Stoic position, which he himself favors for its close reasoning and moral earnestness. This book gives the Stoics' analysis of the causes of grief, their classification of emotions by genus and species, their lists of oddly named character flaws, and by the philosophical debate that develops over the utility of anger in politics and war. This translation makes Cicero's work accessible. The accompanying commentary explains the philosophical concepts discussed in the text and supplies many helpful parallels from Greek sources.Less
The third and fourth books of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations deal with the nature and management of human emotion: first grief, then the emotions in general. In lively and accessible style, Cicero presents the insights of Greek philosophers on the subject, reporting the views of Epicureans and Peripatetics and giving a detailed account of the Stoic position, which he himself favors for its close reasoning and moral earnestness. This book gives the Stoics' analysis of the causes of grief, their classification of emotions by genus and species, their lists of oddly named character flaws, and by the philosophical debate that develops over the utility of anger in politics and war. This translation makes Cicero's work accessible. The accompanying commentary explains the philosophical concepts discussed in the text and supplies many helpful parallels from Greek sources.
Dorota M. Dutsch
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199533381
- eISBN:
- 9780191714757
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199533381.003.0003
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Roman comedy uses various means to portray male and female suffering. In general — although there are some meaningful exceptions — loud weeping (indicative of all that is irrational and incoherent) ...
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Roman comedy uses various means to portray male and female suffering. In general — although there are some meaningful exceptions — loud weeping (indicative of all that is irrational and incoherent) is associated with female characters, while the use of interjections (indicative of greater self-control) is associated with male characters. The stereotypical routine of the comic maid also reveals a biased perception of female pain as disorderly and implausible, which is reminiscent of the descriptions of hysteria in medical writings. In Plautus' Rudens, women's propensity to cry is, likewise, portrayed as a symptom of cognitive deficiency. Such perceptions of inconsolable distress as feminine, and of rational and restrained attitude towards pain as masculine, takes a particularly striking form later, in Cicero's writings.Less
Roman comedy uses various means to portray male and female suffering. In general — although there are some meaningful exceptions — loud weeping (indicative of all that is irrational and incoherent) is associated with female characters, while the use of interjections (indicative of greater self-control) is associated with male characters. The stereotypical routine of the comic maid also reveals a biased perception of female pain as disorderly and implausible, which is reminiscent of the descriptions of hysteria in medical writings. In Plautus' Rudens, women's propensity to cry is, likewise, portrayed as a symptom of cognitive deficiency. Such perceptions of inconsolable distress as feminine, and of rational and restrained attitude towards pain as masculine, takes a particularly striking form later, in Cicero's writings.
Yelena Baraz
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691153322
- eISBN:
- 9781400842162
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691153322.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines Cicero’s use of oratory as a means of establishing a connection between his subject matter, philosophy, and traditional public life. The emphasis is on the connection between ...
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This chapter examines Cicero’s use of oratory as a means of establishing a connection between his subject matter, philosophy, and traditional public life. The emphasis is on the connection between philosophy and rhetoric as disciplines and the continuity between Cicero the orator and statesman and Cicero the philosopher. The chapter first considers how Cicero leverages the connection between Academic Skepticism and rhetoric, in contrast to the alienating thought and style of the Stoics exemplified by the person of Cato the Younger. The discussion focuses on the preface to the Paradoxa Stoicorum, which uses the figure of Cato the Younger to work out the relationship between philosophy and active political practice. Drawing on the preface to book one of De Natura Deorum and the preface to book one of Tusculan Disputations, the chapter concludes with an assessment of the continuity between Cicero the orator and Cicero the philosopher.Less
This chapter examines Cicero’s use of oratory as a means of establishing a connection between his subject matter, philosophy, and traditional public life. The emphasis is on the connection between philosophy and rhetoric as disciplines and the continuity between Cicero the orator and statesman and Cicero the philosopher. The chapter first considers how Cicero leverages the connection between Academic Skepticism and rhetoric, in contrast to the alienating thought and style of the Stoics exemplified by the person of Cato the Younger. The discussion focuses on the preface to the Paradoxa Stoicorum, which uses the figure of Cato the Younger to work out the relationship between philosophy and active political practice. Drawing on the preface to book one of De Natura Deorum and the preface to book one of Tusculan Disputations, the chapter concludes with an assessment of the continuity between Cicero the orator and Cicero the philosopher.
J. P. F. Wynne
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780198858997
- eISBN:
- 9780191891618
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198858997.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy
Cicero wrote his later philosophical works as an Academic sceptic. In those dialogues, he often writes speeches for and against a proposition, leaving the reader’s judgement free. But in his Tusculan ...
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Cicero wrote his later philosophical works as an Academic sceptic. In those dialogues, he often writes speeches for and against a proposition, leaving the reader’s judgement free. But in his Tusculan Disputations, Cicero speaks only against an interlocutor’s stated belief. He does this five times. The theses of Cicero’s five arguments form a Stoic outlook on happiness. Can the Tusculans be sceptical? I argue that Cicero aims to convince neither his interlocutor, nor the reader, of the truth of what he argues for. Rather, he aims to argue us out of each stated belief, and not into any other. I further argue Cicero the author chooses to argue against exactly the five beliefs of his interlocutors not to argue for any dogmatic position, but to argue against five beliefs that are very widely believed, and troubling to believe. Academic scepticism can relieve us of those beliefs and troubles.Less
Cicero wrote his later philosophical works as an Academic sceptic. In those dialogues, he often writes speeches for and against a proposition, leaving the reader’s judgement free. But in his Tusculan Disputations, Cicero speaks only against an interlocutor’s stated belief. He does this five times. The theses of Cicero’s five arguments form a Stoic outlook on happiness. Can the Tusculans be sceptical? I argue that Cicero aims to convince neither his interlocutor, nor the reader, of the truth of what he argues for. Rather, he aims to argue us out of each stated belief, and not into any other. I further argue Cicero the author chooses to argue against exactly the five beliefs of his interlocutors not to argue for any dogmatic position, but to argue against five beliefs that are very widely believed, and troubling to believe. Academic scepticism can relieve us of those beliefs and troubles.
Yelena Baraz
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691153322
- eISBN:
- 9781400842162
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691153322.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines Cicero’s claims about the political content of his philosophical writings and their potential benefit to the future of the state. Drawing on two of his treatises, the preface to ...
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This chapter examines Cicero’s claims about the political content of his philosophical writings and their potential benefit to the future of the state. Drawing on two of his treatises, the preface to book one of Tusculan Disputations and the preface to book one of De Finibus, the chapter considers what Cicero repeatedly identifies as his project’s major contribution: the act of translating philosophy from the Greek and making it accessible in Latin. It also explores the cultural and political meaning of translation as an act of patriotism, as well as Cicero’s response to the difficulties of presenting works in translation to an audience with a variety of often opposing cultural objectives and prejudices.Less
This chapter examines Cicero’s claims about the political content of his philosophical writings and their potential benefit to the future of the state. Drawing on two of his treatises, the preface to book one of Tusculan Disputations and the preface to book one of De Finibus, the chapter considers what Cicero repeatedly identifies as his project’s major contribution: the act of translating philosophy from the Greek and making it accessible in Latin. It also explores the cultural and political meaning of translation as an act of patriotism, as well as Cicero’s response to the difficulties of presenting works in translation to an audience with a variety of often opposing cultural objectives and prejudices.
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226305776
- eISBN:
- 9780226305196
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226305196.003.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
This chapter presents the third book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-contained treatise on the nature and management of human emotion. In this book the formal case against the ...
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This chapter presents the third book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-contained treatise on the nature and management of human emotion. In this book the formal case against the thesis is quickly expanded to take in the causes of distress, its relation to the other emotions, the techniques that have proven effective in treating it, and practical suggestions for the writers of consolatory discourses. The assertion concerning the experience of the wise person is expressed that “the wise person is subject to grief.” Cicero concentrates on the experience of ordinary humans, exploring the causes of grief and other emotions in them. He also gives a full-scale assault on Epicurean ethics and feels that despite the merits of individual Epicureans, the system itself remains open to self-indulgent interpretations which are entirely incompatible with a life of public service.Less
This chapter presents the third book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-contained treatise on the nature and management of human emotion. In this book the formal case against the thesis is quickly expanded to take in the causes of distress, its relation to the other emotions, the techniques that have proven effective in treating it, and practical suggestions for the writers of consolatory discourses. The assertion concerning the experience of the wise person is expressed that “the wise person is subject to grief.” Cicero concentrates on the experience of ordinary humans, exploring the causes of grief and other emotions in them. He also gives a full-scale assault on Epicurean ethics and feels that despite the merits of individual Epicureans, the system itself remains open to self-indulgent interpretations which are entirely incompatible with a life of public service.
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226305776
- eISBN:
- 9780226305196
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226305196.003.0002
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
This chapter presents the fourth book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-sufficient treatise on the temperament and management of human feeling. The assertion concerning the ...
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This chapter presents the fourth book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-sufficient treatise on the temperament and management of human feeling. The assertion concerning the experience of the wise person is expressed that “the wise person cannot be free of every emotion.” In this book more difficult arguments are provided that contrast emotions with the “well-reasoned” affective responses of the sage. The structure is so designed to illustrate a specific point about Stoic style with samples of different types of philosophic discourse. It gives an insight to the realization that every emotion is likewise a matter of belief. The book highlights the fact that when an emotion has become habitual, this habit is harder to banish than the emotion itself.Less
This chapter presents the fourth book of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations and provides a self-sufficient treatise on the temperament and management of human feeling. The assertion concerning the experience of the wise person is expressed that “the wise person cannot be free of every emotion.” In this book more difficult arguments are provided that contrast emotions with the “well-reasoned” affective responses of the sage. The structure is so designed to illustrate a specific point about Stoic style with samples of different types of philosophic discourse. It gives an insight to the realization that every emotion is likewise a matter of belief. The book highlights the fact that when an emotion has become habitual, this habit is harder to banish than the emotion itself.
