This webpage contains a brief overview of the recently published book 'Philosophical Sketches'. Below you will find a short Chapter summary on Cicero, the book cover and back page text, links to other book chapters, and introduction. You can buy this book online at our Cafepress Philosophy Book Shop (Book Details: 90 pages, 30 full page portraits, 8.5 inches by 11 inches, $19.50 USD)
Hope you find it interesting,
Geoff Haselhurst & Karene Jade Howie
Chapter Nine: CiceroMarcus Tullius Cicero is known as the greatest of the Roman orators and statesman of Ancient Rome. Cicero possessed a wide range of persuasive techniques and an exceptional command of the Latin tongue. He followed the common practice of publishing his speeches. The information that they give us about contemporary social and political life is greatly increased by his letters, of which there are 900 published posthumously. His deeper thoughts are revealed by a considerable number of writings on moral and political philosophy, on religion and on the theory and practice of rhetoric.
Cicero was taken by surprise when Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March 44 BC and became the leading man in Rome, along with Mark Antony, Caesar's subordinate. But the two men had never been on friendly terms, their relationship worsened which culminated in Cicero’s death. His last words to the executioners were said to have been "there is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly."... (see book for more)
What is morally wrong can never be advantageous, even when it enables you to make some gain that you believe to be to your advantage. The mere act of believing that some wrongful course of action constitutes an advantage is pernicious.
Are you not ashamed as a scientist, as an observer and investigator of nature, to seek your criterion of truth from minds steeped in conventional beliefs?… as a philosopher, I have a right to ask for a rational explanation of religious faith. (Cicero, Nature of the Gods)
Philosophical
SketchesA lively and concise journey through the central ideas of thirty famous philosophers. From ancient Indian, Greek and Chinese Philosophy to modern Western Philosophy, this book explores the changing foundations of human knowledge and their effect on how we think and live.
Includes full page portraits, brief biographies and selected quotes from some of the greatest minds of human history on the universal subjects of Truth, Reality, Nature, Cosmos, Wisdom, Morality, Mind, Education, Politics, Art, Religion & God.
Written for the lay person, while remaining true to the original ideas, this is an engaging account of the Metaphysical foundations of Philosophy that is both illuminating and thought provoking. (Cover Photograph: Plato & Aristotle - The School of Athens by Raphael)
Space and Motion Publications
Online print on demand publishers of books on;
Philosophy, Physics, Metaphysics, Truth, Reality, Evolution, Ecology, Nature, Education, Politics, Fine Art, Erotic Art, Nature, Cosmos, Wisdom, Morality, Mind, Religion & God.
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/books/online-book-publishing.htm
We also have a nice philosophy web page on Cicero;
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Cicero-Philosopher.htm