具体描述
The role of philosophy as a valued and effective part of the culture of civilized Romans has aroused an increasing amount of scholarly interest in recent years. In this volume, which gathers together nine papers delivered at a series of seminars on philosophy and Roman society in the University of Oxford, scholars of classical literature, Roman history, and ancient philosophy investigate the place of Platonism and Aristotelianism in Roman intellectual, cultural, and political life from the second century BC to the third century AD. In addition to chapters on such important figures as Cicero, Varro, Plutarch, Favorinus, Celsus, and Porphyry, the book contains essays on the tradition of Aristotle's library at Rome, the theory of the mixed constitution, and the anonymous commentary on Plato's Theaetetus. It thus forms a complement to Philosophia Togata I which addressed the importance of the doctrines of the Hellenistic schools to Roman society during the first century BC.
Philosophy in the Roman Toga: A Journey Through Roman Thought This volume delves into the multifaceted landscape of Roman philosophy, exploring the intellectual currents that shaped the Roman mind and its enduring legacy. Far from being mere imitators of Greek thought, the Romans forged a distinctive philosophical tradition, adapting and transforming Hellenistic ideas to suit their own cultural and political realities. Part I: The Foundations – Stoicism and Epicureanism in the Roman Crucible The early chapters lay the groundwork by examining the profound influence of Stoicism and Epicureanism on Roman society. We will trace the arrival and dissemination of these schools of thought, highlighting the key Roman figures who embraced and propagated them. Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, pillars of Stoicism, will be analyzed not just for their theoretical contributions but also for their practical application of Stoic principles to the challenges of public life, personal resilience, and ethical conduct. Their writings, imbued with a distinctly Roman pragmatism, offer profound insights into living a virtuous and fulfilling life amidst the turbulence of empire. Equally significant is the Roman reception of Epicureanism. While often misunderstood and even demonized, Epicurus' philosophy offered a compelling vision of happiness through the pursuit of pleasure, understood as the absence of pain and disturbance. Lucretius, the epic poet of atomism and pleasure, will be a central focus, exploring his monumental work De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things). His ambitious attempt to dispel the fear of death and the gods through a scientific, materialist worldview resonated with a significant segment of Roman society. We will investigate how Roman intellectuals engaged with the Epicurean emphasis on friendship, moderation, and the cultivation of inner tranquility. Part II: Bridging Worlds – The Eclectic Spirit and Roman Scepticism Beyond the dominant Stoic and Epicurean traditions, Roman philosophy was characterized by a remarkable eclecticism. Many Roman thinkers did not rigidly adhere to a single school but rather drew inspiration from various sources, synthesizing different doctrines to create their own unique philosophical systems. This section will explore the work of Cicero, the quintessential Roman orator, statesman, and philosopher. Cicero’s prolific writings, often in dialogue form, served as a crucial conduit for transmitting Greek philosophical ideas to a wider Roman audience. His engagement with Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, among others, reveals a sophisticated understanding of philosophical debate and a commitment to philosophical education. We will examine his contributions to ethics, politics, and epistemology, emphasizing his role in shaping the very language and discourse of philosophy in the Latin West. Furthermore, we will investigate the presence and impact of Scepticism within Roman thought. Figures like Sextus Empiricus, though writing in Greek, represent a significant strand of philosophical inquiry that questioned the possibility of certain knowledge. While the Roman response to Scepticism was varied, its influence can be seen in intellectual circles and its challenge to dogmatic claims fostered a spirit of critical inquiry. This part will explore how Roman philosophers navigated the complexities of knowledge, belief, and doubt, engaging with the persistent question of how we can attain truth in a world of competing claims. Part III: Philosophy in Practice – Ethics, Politics, and the Roman Ideal The inherent practicality of Roman thought is nowhere more evident than in its approach to ethics and politics. Roman philosophers were deeply concerned with the cultivation of virtue, the nature of justice, and the responsibilities of citizenship. This section will explore the Roman conception of virtus, a concept that encompassed courage, excellence, and moral uprightness. We will examine how philosophical ideals were translated into the practical demands of public service, military leadership, and personal conduct. The relationship between philosophy and the Roman state will be a recurring theme. How did philosophical ideas inform Roman law, governance, and imperial ideology? We will consider the ways in which Stoic ideals of duty, reason, and universal brotherhood influenced Roman notions of justice and cosmic order. The tension between the cosmopolitan aspirations of philosophy and the particularist loyalties of Roman identity will also be explored. Moreover, this volume will delve into the philosophical underpinnings of Roman social and cultural life. From the philosophical reflections on family and education to the philosophical justifications for Roman expansion and imperial authority, the pervasive influence of philosophical thought on the Roman way of life will be illuminated. Conclusion: The Enduring Resonance of Roman Philosophy The final chapters will synthesize the key themes and arguments presented, highlighting the distinctive contributions of Roman philosophy to the Western intellectual tradition. By moving beyond a simple understanding of Rome as a mere recipient of Greek wisdom, this exploration aims to reveal the originality, dynamism, and enduring relevance of Roman philosophical inquiry. The volume concludes by considering the ways in which Roman philosophical ideas continued to shape thought and culture long after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, influencing medieval scholasticism, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment. This journey through Roman thought offers not just an academic exploration but an invitation to engage with perennial questions of human existence, ethical living, and the pursuit of wisdom that continue to resonate with us today.
