Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.
Monday, October 6, 2025
Marcus Aurelius (Extra Credit)
Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.
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After reading some of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations the one I found interesting is one from section five and it goes "from him too I learned endurance of labour, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people’s affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander." I thought that this was very interesting to read and here what he thought about how to govern. This shows his values because he understands his people and shows them he won't get into your problems and will do the things he needs to do to get things done himself just like he's one of them. I think this shows how he would be a good emperor because he says he wont get into business he doesn't need to get into and will do hard work with his hands showing he will do his part to help his empire.
ReplyDelete"3. From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich."
ReplyDeleteA few things that many rulers have suffered from was 1) a hot temper, 2) insatiable lust, and 3) overspending.
The hot temper made kings and emperors hated, especially those that ordered executions at the change of their moods. The insatiable lust led to many bastards and complications regarding relationships between emperors and their wives, as well as the neglect of important duties. And overspending caused the people to hate the one doing the spending, especially if they were being open about it.
In this advice and in these values, he was setting himself up to be a good ruler, as all emphasize patience, understanding, and thinking things through, including consideration of the people when he makes decisions.
Not many rulers did this, oftentimes describing themselves as being faultless due to their royal birth.