Marcus Aurelius (Philosophy in the Roman World) - Hardcover

Book 2 of 3: Philosophy in the Roman World

Sellars, John

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9780367146061: Marcus Aurelius (Philosophy in the Roman World)
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0367146061 ISBN 13: 9780367146061
Publisher: Routledge, 2020

Synopsis

In this new study, John Sellars offers a fresh examination of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations as a work of philosophy by placing it against the background of the tradition of Stoic philosophy to which Marcus was committed.

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is a perennial bestseller, attracting countless readers drawn to its unique mix of philosophical reflection and practical advice. The emperor is usually placed alongside Seneca and Epictetus as one of three great Roman Stoic authors, but he wears his philosophy lightly, not feeling the need to state explicitly the ideas standing behind the reflections that he was writing for himself. As a consequence, his standing as a philosopher has often been questioned. Challenging claims that Marcus Aurelius was merely an eclectic thinker, that the Meditations do not fit the model of a work of philosophy, that there are no arguments in the work, and that it only contains superficial moral advice, Sellars shows that he was in constant dialogue with his Stoic predecessors, engaging with themes drawn from all three parts of Stoicism: logic, physics, and ethics. The image of Marcus Aurelius that emerges is of a committed Stoic, engaging with a wide range of philosophical topics, motivated by the desire to live a good life.

This volume will be of interest to scholars and students of both Classics and Philosophy.

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About the Author

John Sellars is Lecturer in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London, and a member of Wolfson College, Oxford. His previous books include The Art of Living, Stoicism, Hellenistic Philosophy, and Lessons in Stoicism. He is also the editor of The Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition.

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Publisher
Routledge
Publication date
2020
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0367146061
ISBN 13 
9780367146061
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
146
Rating
  • 4.60 out of 5 stars
    20 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780367146078: Marcus Aurelius (Philosophy in the Roman World)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  036714607X ISBN 13:  9780367146078
Publisher: Routledge, 2020
Softcover