Thanks for this interesting and thorough review of the origins of individualism. I especially like you quote from Cicero. Every human is capable of reason. As you did not mention a “downside” to Cicero, is it fair to assume that any downside was minimal or absent?
Thanks for this interesting and thorough review of the origins of individualism. I especially like you quote from Cicero. Every human is capable of reason. As you did not mention a “downside” to Cicero, is it fair to assume that any downside was minimal or absent?
Well, on this point he was simply echoing Stoicism, which is really bad. But Cicero wasn't an orthodox Stoic. He was influenced by them, but as I understand it, he was more aligned by Plato's Academy (which, at the time, was less Platonic and more skeptic). But my knowledge of Cicero is pretty limited, so it would be worth more exploration.
Thanks for your super quick reply. There seems like never enough time to follow all the interesting leads from all the different angles. And it seems to get worse the more I learn. I’m so grateful to be curious. Do you find that as well?
Thanks for this interesting and thorough review of the origins of individualism. I especially like you quote from Cicero. Every human is capable of reason. As you did not mention a “downside” to Cicero, is it fair to assume that any downside was minimal or absent?
Well, on this point he was simply echoing Stoicism, which is really bad. But Cicero wasn't an orthodox Stoic. He was influenced by them, but as I understand it, he was more aligned by Plato's Academy (which, at the time, was less Platonic and more skeptic). But my knowledge of Cicero is pretty limited, so it would be worth more exploration.
Thanks for your super quick reply. There seems like never enough time to follow all the interesting leads from all the different angles. And it seems to get worse the more I learn. I’m so grateful to be curious. Do you find that as well?
Yes, though I hope to do most of the work for my readers! I have a piece delving more into Stoicism coming up in a few weeks.
Well, then I will be grateful, thanks. 👍