Colby Geisinger
English 10H – Mr. Mogford
Marcus Aurelius
9/18/12
Marcus Aurelius: Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher
When many people think of the word philosopher, stoicism and emperor are not the first
thoughts that come to mind. Almost everyone immediately thinks of Plato or Aristotle. However,
Marcus Aurelius was also a philosopher and an emperor of Rome. Although Emperor Aurelius
was a great contributor to Stoic philosophy I do not agree with everything he believes in. Marcus
had a brilliant mind and I agree with him on his thoughts of Ontology, Epistemology, and even
his thoughts in Axiology.
Marcus Aurelius was born into an upper class Roman family in 121 A.D. but was later
adopted by the future emperor Antoninus Pius. At the early age of 12, young Marcus was already
interested in Philosophy and embraced the system of the Stoics. Even though he eventually
succeeded Emperor Pius to become Emperor Aurelius he still devoted time to philosophy. He
even wrote a book known as the “Meditations” which wasn’t even meant for publication but yet
few ancient works have been as influential. Marcus had his own thoughts about Ontology which
were based on Stoicism. Ontology asks the questions, “what is”, “what exists”, and “what does
our world consist of?” The Ontological thoughts of Marcus were that God was providence; God
was fate; and that each human soul is “a fragment of the universal divine force, yet not
completely sundered from the parent-stock.” I agree with his thoughts on this because I believe
that each person has a special purpose in life and is meant to do or change something in the
world for the better.
Emperor Aurelius was very different than most other philosophers because he had power
to put his thoughts into action which other philosophers didn’t have. In his book the
“Meditations” he talks about his life and what he learned from certain people that played an
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important role in his life. “The Meditations furthered the sublime and yet personal consolation of
the Stoic message and increasingly showed the strength of its rivalry to the burgeoning power of
the new Christianity.” In this ancient work of his, he reveals personal thoughts and one of these
are his views on Epistemology which once again is based on Stoicism. Epistemology asks, “what
can we know”, “what should be taught, and studied.” The Epistemology that Marcus Aurelius
believes in is that, “knowledge can be attained through the voice of reason; truth can be
distinguished from fallacy.” Yet again, I agree with the Emperor’s ideas on Epistemology. I
agree because through reason everything can make sense and when things begin to make sense
that is when one begins to gain knowledge. I also agree because what is true is very distinct from
what is misleading or false.
Along with Marcus’s ideas and reflections back on his life that are found from within the
“Meditations” his thoughts on Axiology are also found. Axiology ask the questions of, “what is
good (ethics)”, and “what is beautiful (aesthetics).”Marcus’s views on Axiology are that, “if you
assume everyone is evil, then you cannot have an imprint of evil on you and you cannot be mad
at them for being evil.” Although Marcus never truly defines what he feels is evil is till agree
with him. I agree with this philosopher’s thought on Axiology because in order to see everyone
as evil I would first have to be completely free of all evil and sins.
Marcus Aurelius had a brilliant mind and thoughts on Ontology, Axiology, and
Epistemology and that is why I agree with his Stoic thinking. In my mind he is one of the
greatest Philosophers throughout history. He has contributed a lot of philosophical thoughts to
the world and he was able to do what many other philosophers could not do. He has contributed
so much to Stoicism especially through the “Meditations.” Marcus Aurelius is a true Stoic
philosopher and has changed the way of viewing the world for many including myself.