Marcus Aurelius, Philosopher-King (Stoicism Part III)

Marcus Aurelius, Philosopher-King (Stoicism Part III)

In this course, we take a look at the life and thought of the fascinating Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. The last of the so-called "Good Emperors", Marcus reigned as Emperor of Rome from 161-180.  Admired for centuries for his rare combination of great power and virtue, Marcus is often thought to be the figure who came closest to realizing Plato´s ideal of the philosopher-king. While holding the imperial office, Marcus´s life was outward active coping among other things with defending the Roman frontier from Germanic invasions. And yet Emperor Marcus Aurelius is best known for this expression of his interior life as a philosopher expressed in his work The Meditations. For centuries many have found a path to comfort and serenity in its pages.   Inspired by Pierre Hadot´s idea of the Meditations as "spiritual exercises", we will explore the key ideas of the Marcus Aurelius for attaining the Stoic goals of moral goodness and tranquillity in the midst of shifting and uncertain fortune. We also include a "bonus lecture" on the 16th century Flemish Neo-Stoic Justus Lipsius, to complete our three-part series of courses on Stoicism. Justus Lipsius is known as the central figure in what is called "Neo-Stoicism" - the influential revival of Stoic thought in the context of the European Renaissance.

Introduction to Stoicism: Part III

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What you will learn

• We will focus on the practical Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
• Understanding the Classic Text of Marcus Aurelius, the Meditations.
• The Remarkable Biography and Thought of Marcus Aurelius -Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher

Rating: 5

Level: All Levels

Duration: 7.5 hours

Instructor: Alexander Rosenthal Pubul