It seems that in rhetoric, the art of proper and beautiful verbal expression, Marcus Tullius Cicero had no equal. Having acquired a broad legal education from famous Roman jurists, Cicero turned to Greek philosophy and rhetoric, first studying under the Athenian Epicurean Phaedrus, and then under Diodotus, who taught him Stoic philosophy. Cicero actively participated … Read more
According to ancient Chinese teachings attributed to the Yellow Emperor (Huang Ti) and reintroduced by Lao Tzu, the power of the Way (Tao) is in everything. Man’s task is to return to Tao through the practice of the virtue of the Way (te) that encompasses everything. To achieve this, one must master two ways of … Read more
In the long history of human searching for answers, all philosophies, historical periods, and geographical areas have in common the quest for the answer to the question of whether life has meaning and how to achieve it. Therefore, the question is universal, and there are as many answers as there are philosophies and places in … Read more
The quest for wisdom and the good life has been present throughout the history of mankind. Among the many groups and individuals who have attempted to convey a natural philosophy of living, the Stoics stand out with their steadfastness and perseverance as a philosophical school, as well as their influence on the history of mankind. … Read more
The passage you provided discusses the value of ancient Egyptian teachings and the wisdom of sages like Ptahhotep. These teachings covered various aspects of life, including authority, justice, love, child-rearing, friendship, and wisdom. The moral and ethical principles they conveyed were essential for maintaining order and harmony in Egyptian society. These texts serve as a … Read more
Plotinus’ era coincides with the beginning of the end of ancient civilization and the formation of Christianity. In the vast Roman Empire, the internal impulse that drove it was gradually fading away, leading to spiritual upheaval and the emergence of numerous sects. The mysterious centers of knowledge that were the driving force behind ancient culture … Read more
Although his philosophical teachings have had a strong influence on many great philosophers, and the Neoplatonic school he founded lasted almost half a millennium, we have very little information about Plotinus’ life before coming to Rome. We know that he was born in Lykopolis in Egypt around 204 AD, and that at the age of … Read more
Caring for the Soul Embracing the idea of immortality and knowing that death takes away everything except the soul, Plato teaches us that our primary concern in life must be caring for the soul. This primarily involves purifying it, freeing it from the sensory and striving for union with the spiritual world. Explaining the nature … Read more
In many religious and philosophical traditions, the concept of the immortality of the soul is a fundamental belief. According to some, the soul is eternal and preexists before birth, and then death is just a temporary separation of the soul from the body, with hope for life after death. This second perspective provides comfort and … Read more
When Plato first arrived in Syracuse at the age of forty in 388 BC, Dionysius the Elder, a suspicious and violent ruler, was in power and seeking to strengthen and expand his rule. By visiting Syracuse, a wealthy and powerful ancient Mediterranean city at the time, Plato aimed to encourage its ruler Dionysius the Elder, … Read more
