Marcus Tullius Cicero, a towering Figure of Roman Philosophy, Oratory, and politics, was pivotal in Shapingthe intellectual Landscapeof the late Roman Republic. Born in 106 BCE, Cicero navigated turbulent political waters, which profoundly influenced his philosophical writings. "On Moral Duties" (De Officiis), penned in 44 BCE, was crafted amidst Rome's political upheaval following Julius Caesar's assassination. This treatise explored Ethics, blending Stoic and Aristotelian Thoughtto guide Civic Virtue. Initially celebrated for its eloquence and moral clarity, it became a cornerstone of Western ethical philosophy, echoing through the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Cicero's Work influenced thinkers such as Augustine, Erasmus, and Immanuel Kant, and remarkably, its principles even resonated in Confucian ethics and modern Political Theory.
Guiding Question
What is your duty when virtue conflicts with personal gain?