Marcus Aurelius and Philosophy
May 05, 2024Marcus Aurelius was born in Rome in 121 AD. His father was a prominent politician and his mother was a wealthy heiress. He was educated in the finest schools and became a skilled rhetorician. When he was sixteen, his father died and he inherited a large fortune. He used his wealth to support the arts and sciences. He also became a patron of the Stoic philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius married Faustina, the daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius. They had thirteen children together. He became Emperor in 161 AD when Antoninus Pius died. As Emperor, he fought against the barbarian tribes who were invading the empire. He also worked to improve the lives of the people of Rome.
Marcus Aurelius was a wise and just ruler. He was also a great thinker and philosopher. He wrote a number of books on philosophy, including a work called Meditations. In this book, he reflected on the Stoic principles that he had learned. He died in 180 AD.
Marcus Aurelius Philosophy
Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic. He believed in self-control, living in harmony with others, and making reasonable decisions. Aurelius also believed that humans should take responsibility for their own actions and not blame others for their mistakes. Key aspects of Marcus Aurelius' philosophy:
1. Stoicism:
Marcus Aurelius embraced the Stoic school of thought, which teaches that living in accordance with nature and reason leads to a virtuous and fulfilling life. Stoicism emphasizes self-control, endurance, and the belief that we cannot control external events—only our reactions to them. The Stoics taught that the ultimate goal of life is "eudaimonia" (flourishing or happiness), which is achieved by living virtuously, in harmony with reason and nature.
2. The Virtue of Control:
A central tenet of Marcus Aurelius' Stoicism is the dichotomy of control, the idea that we should only focus on things within our control (our actions, thoughts, and attitudes) and accept what we cannot control (external events, others’ behavior, and fortune). This mindset fosters tranquility by helping individuals avoid anxiety over things beyond their influence.
3. Acceptance of Fate (Amor Fati):
Marcus Aurelius stressed the importance of accepting fate (or "Amor Fati"—love of fate). This means embracing whatever happens as a part of the natural order of the universe, and seeing it as necessary, rather than resisting or complaining about it. He often wrote about aligning one’s will with the course of nature.
4. Impermanence and Mortality:
He regularly reflected on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, urging himself and others to live in the present and not fear the end. This meditation on mortality was meant to foster a sense of urgency in living a virtuous life and a calm acceptance of life's temporary nature.
5. Duty and Leadership:
As a Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius saw his role as one of duty and service to the people and the state. His Stoic philosophy strongly influenced how he approached leadership, emphasizing rational decision-making, fairness, and self-discipline. He believed that his personal desires should be subordinated to the needs of the empire, and he viewed his role as a leader as a form of service to others.
6. Self-Reflection and Inner Strength:
Meditations is filled with Marcus Aurelius' personal reflections on his efforts to live a Stoic life. He often reminded himself to remain calm in the face of adversity, to avoid being swayed by passions like anger, jealousy, or fear, and to focus on self-improvement rather than external success or fame. He urged self-reliance, constantly advising himself to look inward for strength and stability rather than depending on external validation.
7. Universal Brotherhood:
Marcus Aurelius believed in the concept of cosmopolitanism, the idea that all human beings are part of a larger, interconnected whole, regardless of their nationality or social status. He emphasized that we are all citizens of the world and share a common humanity. This idea encouraged him to practice compassion, fairness, and justice.
8. Emotional Detachment:
As a Stoic, Marcus Aurelius advocated for emotional detachment from external circumstances, whether they were pleasant or painful. This wasn’t about being indifferent or cold, but rather about maintaining emotional equilibrium and not being ruled by fleeting passions. By controlling his reactions, he believed one could achieve inner peace.
9. Reason and Virtue:
He believed that living according to reason was the highest virtue and that our rational nature distinguishes us from other animals. For Marcus, reason was the tool through which individuals could align themselves with the natural order and live a life of virtue, the highest good in Stoic ethics.
10. Practical Ethics:
Marcus Aurelius' Stoicism was deeply practical. He constantly encouraged himself to act ethically in every aspect of life—whether in dealing with difficult people, making political decisions, or responding to personal hardships. His philosophy was not merely theoretical but focused on how to live virtuously and navigate life's challenges.
Influence:
Marcus Aurelius is remembered not just for being an emperor, but as a philosopher who lived his beliefs. His thoughts on Stoicism, as recorded in Meditations, have had a lasting impact on the field of ethics and continue to influence modern thinkers, particularly in fields such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which borrows from Stoic ideas on managing thoughts and emotions.
In sum, Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher-king whose philosophy emphasized self-discipline, the acceptance of life's challenges, and the pursuit of virtue through rationality and emotional control.
Category: Stoic Philosophy