I found "The Emporer's" Handbook while I was at the Naval Academy... One of my favorite wise books of all time. It really helped me through a tough decade of war - that at many times I was not in agreement with, but bound by duty. We need a 100 Marcus Aurelius ' in politics now more than ever...
@sbergman27 Yes. You were smart to point that out. That was Marcus' one big mistake. It's interesting that this professor said that the 4 preceding emperors were better than most, but not up to Marcus level. This is true. However, the first 4 of the 5 Good Emperors has the prudent insight to not appoint their own relatives as their successors. Instead, they adopted who they saw as worthy successors as adult children, and appointed them. Commodus's reign was the beginning of the fall for Rome.
I disagree that he was just lonely. I think his depression was because of the weight of responsibility he placed upon himself, that no one else in the world could understand. He was constantly motivating, driving, and reminding himself to live up to his best self. I don't think he was perfect as the professor says. I believe he was sad because he wasn't perfect though he knew how to be.
I like the discussion, but don't agree with everything he says. His point, If you can have anything you want as Marcus did, that doesn't mean you have greater temptations( addictions aside and not mentioned in the video). If you have all the water you can drink on tap, will you spend all day drinking water? A thirsty man is extremely tempted by water and one sip will still have him wanting more and more, but won't drink himself to death when it's flowing from the tap in abundance. I would think Epictetus had greater wants/temptations since as a slave he lacked more.
Jim Nguyen His point was that Marcus Aurelius had the ability to fulfill his desires should he have chosen to. To continue with your own analogy, how much harder is it for a man to choose not to drink when he is next to that tap that is continuously flowing. Another man, a man who doesn't have access to water, doesn't drink, he also doesn't have to choose not to drink, he simply doesn't have the option.
I've come back to these videos many times. Thanks for uploading.
This professor Is without a shadow of doubt Brillant, remarkable dr.I truly have high regards for the great professor.
I agree. I have been fortunate enough to have been one of his students. :)
I found "The Emporer's" Handbook while I was at the Naval Academy... One of my favorite wise books of all time. It really helped me through a tough decade of war - that at many times I was not in agreement with, but bound by duty. We need a 100 Marcus Aurelius ' in politics now more than ever...
The ultimate good do good at all costs
Marcus Aurelius is the one most worthy of his power.
I agree, Michael speaks so so well. Has anyone found where we can watch more of his videos, that is, if he has made more videos.
Thanks
Historically speaking Cirus the great would be another example of the philosopher king
very well done thanks for sharing
Incredible speaker! Great lecture.
Thanks for this. Really great stuff!
This is some good stuff.
Grazie mille!
I wish we had folks of Marcus Aurellius ilk today.
@sbergman27 Yes. You were smart to point that out. That was Marcus' one big mistake. It's interesting that this professor said that the 4 preceding emperors were better than most, but not up to Marcus level. This is true. However, the first 4 of the 5 Good Emperors has the prudent insight to not appoint their own relatives as their successors. Instead, they adopted who they saw as worthy successors as adult children, and appointed them. Commodus's reign was the beginning of the fall for Rome.
With all my respect to Marcus Aurelius and all my love to stoicism refuse from sex is too much.
good
I would elect Michael Sugrue Philosopher King.
@infokemp the last one we have had that i know of is Austin Osman Spare... google 'logomachy of zos'
Three people who disliked this video hold none of Aurelis' virtue.
life and more of it....
@StuartLoria Meh, not so much.
No lbssa9
what happen is that while Aurelius exercised the Power in a unusual way, Maquiavel denounced the most usual ones through his works
so we can all agree marcus was the man....pity about the son, though
Everybody thinking:
Who we are most likely to be with power, Caligula, Gengis Khan, Napoleon or Marcus Aurelius?
I disagree that he was just lonely. I think his depression was because of the weight of responsibility he placed upon himself, that no one else in the world could understand. He was constantly motivating, driving, and reminding himself to live up to his best self. I don't think he was perfect as the professor says. I believe he was sad because he wasn't perfect though he knew how to be.
This guy is misteaching you Marcus was not born the inheritor or the throne but was chosen for his virtues. And so were all of the 5 great emporers
Who is the prof ? Do we have other video lectures of this prof ?
Michael Sugrue
I like the discussion, but don't agree with everything he says. His point, If you can have anything you want as Marcus did, that doesn't mean you have greater temptations( addictions aside and not mentioned in the video).
If you have all the water you can drink on tap, will you spend all day drinking water? A thirsty man is extremely tempted by water and one sip will still have him wanting more and more, but won't drink himself to death when it's flowing from the tap in abundance. I would think Epictetus had greater wants/temptations since as a slave he lacked more.
Jim Nguyen His point was that Marcus Aurelius had the ability to fulfill his desires should he have chosen to. To continue with your own analogy, how much harder is it for a man to choose not to drink when he is next to that tap that is continuously flowing. Another man, a man who doesn't have access to water, doesn't drink, he also doesn't have to choose not to drink, he simply doesn't have the option.