On TJ freeing his slaves: I don't think one could simply choose to individually free one's slaves at that time. They were considered property. Someone would...
I just wanted to take the time to express my wonder and amazement at one particurlarly inspirational passage from Marcus Book 2.17. "The duration of a person's...
... at ... of ... and ... pleasures, ... of ... source, ... consists ... souls. ... For those interested, I took this passage from The Essential Marcus ...
Kevin writes: ____________ I do not think omniscience is required to "know" something in a Stoic sense, for two reasons. . . . I don't think even in this case...
Hi Kevin, I like the use that Epictetus, according to Pierre Hadot, made of the concept, _phantasiai_kataleptikai_ . "As is well known, the Stoics held that...
Thanks Tony I was bought up a Roman Catholic and since I have embraced Stoicism I cannot believe the simplicity and beauty of its teachings ( don't get me...
I will readily admit that my conceptions of Stoic epistemology may be in error. They are based on my readings, as are yours no doubt, and to some extent it...
... Thanks Leo and Mark, I, too, was raised Roman Catholic and it took me many years since adolescence to deprogram from what I consider to be brainwashing....
I dunno... I guess perhaps you're right and my criticism of TJ is unfair. Perhaps I am judging him unfairly by the standards of a more enlightened time....
Hi All Stoicism has taught me tolerance and these days I do not get into any arguments on Rreligon . I find people readily criticize there beliefs voluntarily....
I find TJ's actions, or lack thereof, akin to someone who professes to love animals, yet still eats meat. --Rick ... Vegetarians are good food. ... From:...
Please forgive me. I keep hitting "send" instead of "cancel." I've done that twice now in as many days on posts I've meant to cancel. Happy New Year for...
Hello, all: This is my first message here, and I was attracted by the name of Aurelius: my reading of his Meditations was my first experience with Stoicism...
I don't think you are being too cynical. Epictetus liked to compare the study of philosophy with a visit to a surgeon - this was about 2000 years prior to the...
 I am an avid reader of history, and philosophy. While I am unaware of the vast amount of knowledge on stoicism, I plan to learn more, and hopefully pursue...
... "Gladiator" is highly fictionalized. There's no evidence I'm aware of that M Aurelius intended to return Rome to a republican form of government. -Conrad ...
... Not only is this idea fictional, but it is a silly fiction. By the time of Aurelias, the political structure of the Empire had decayed to a point that the...
... In fact, people still dreamed, as it were, of the Republic. The Republican period was pretty much universally viewed in very romantic terms - a time when...
Hello Stephen, If you liked the 'Meditations', I would suggest your next step be to get a copy of Epictetus' 'Encheridion', or 'Manual for Living' (as the most...
I think the problem we have is the behavior of crowds and the Machievellian machinations of a few. If the lessons taught by Jesus of Nazareth can be perverted...
Marcus Aurelius "Marcus Aurelius's reputation is shadowed by his persecution of Christians. A devout adherent of the Roman religion, Marcus Aurelius...
I thought Gaul was still polytheistic during his reign, only towards the end of the Roman empire and after did it become Chrsitian. And what "roman religion"...
... Oh - well I guess since you read it on the teh internets it must be true!! The fact is that Christians often actively sought out martyrdom by committing...
Curt, If I may ask, how could the Romans allow such a force as Christianity to gain such draconian power? I know Constantine made it the state religion but...
Big bone of contention was recognition of the Emperor as a god. Also Christians were scapegoated by the likes of Nero who blamed them for setting a fire many...
