Cicero: The Contributions of a Major Political Philosopher
Cicero was a major political philosopher whose contributions influenced how people understand the concept of responsibilities and the republic. He was the author of a lengthy treatise in the form of a dialogue that outlined the characteristics of a true orator. His works were profoundly concerned with nature and its relationship to philosophy, law, and rhetoric. The concept of rhetoric is elevated above philosophy and law on the grounds that a competent orator, in addition to eloquence, has a thorough comprehension of law and philosophy (Steel, 2001). Cicero seems to be seeking a dichotomy to distinguish rhetoric from philosophy, which he felt should be taught separately. It is with no doubt that he was the best orator of his time who understood the best way to live, take an active role in informing politics and couch others on how to make outstanding speeches on the importance of good laws.
The Influence of Cicero on Roman Government
Under the influence of Cicero, Rome eventually constituted a good government under well-trained officers from the ruling class. It became mandatory for officials to undergo the legal training, to guarantee the success of the Romans. The Roman rhetoric was a source of rules for all oratory works (Vasaly, 1996). The importance of political rhetoric can be derived from “De Inventione,” a text he wrote at a young age. The writing gives an insight of the rhetorical instruction and its real nature. The ideas are further supplemented in “De Oratore” where more information on oral discourse can be found. Here, he emphasized that a good orator is the one with a profound knowledge on the foundations of the society and at a position to offer a restrained and a dignified delivery. Cicero faulted the shallowness of orators who completely rely on elegant words and perfect diction without the emphasis on substance.
Cicero's Political Strategies and Challenges
Pro Manilia shed more light on the possibilities of Cicero making it in the political arena. The writing marks a turning point not only for his life but also for his country. Cicero expresses his happiness for being elected in praetorship and is eager to merge his eloquence with a political success. Despite appearing clever, Cicero’s rhetoric displays a degree of superlatives that is considered as tawdry and artificial (Cox & Ward, 2006). It is evident that he was endeavoring to hide from the audience the real motives behind composing the Pro Manilia speech. Selfish leaders driven by egoistic drives are to blame for the challenges that the republic faces. His position on the political, ethical working was informed by the political life of the Romans.
Cicero's Views on Leadership and the Rule of Law
Pro Marcello was written to capture the political environment when Caesar returned from Africa. Afterward, Cicero played a significant role in Caesar’s administration who had given a safety assurance. The government had been corrupted and was aiming at pursuing good and honorable men to serve in various positions of leadership. The speeches were also aimed at instilling the concept of natural law which promotes the highest reason. The law would also serve as a guide to what is right and what is wrong in as far as human affairs are concerned.
Cicero emphasized the fact that without laws, there could be no state or government to rule over the people. The law was supposed to be grounded on the pillars of justice that would promote equality for all the subjects. Besides, the laws would not be enough to guarantee a stable state and thus a need to emphasize on liberty. The liberty could only be achieved if the people were given the right to control the state’s affairs through the supreme power vested in them. His ideas on the best form of government support the monarch although he identifies some weaknesses in this leadership because of the vulnerability to conspiracies.
Cicero's Ideas on Duties and Moral Insights
Although he delivered the message in a rhetoric form through the speeches and other forms of writings, he was clear in the message on duties. The tenets under “On Duties” looked at the moral insights of what was presented as an operative that was politically bloodied though experienced. The moral potential was proven through the ability to endanger one’s life for the sake of the whole political community. Because of the pain he encountered in exile, Cicero was in a position to associate it with forms of dangers in order to come up with a good framework on what constitutes a good legal framework. The speeches along with other works were meant to provide a form of social and political direction that was anchored on the interpretation of justice. The aristocratic thoughts On Duties are not meant to capture the roles of a common man. Instead, Cicero’s ideas are meant to address the men whose duties extend beyond many people in an interdependent community. Besides, Duties is more about the nobility of the ideas, the historical struggles, and the moral-political ideas. The well thought out ideas in the speeches and views on the republic and Duties make him the most influential character to shape the political philosophy.
Cicero's Philosophy on Social Welfare and the Societas Humana
Cicero believes that the wealthy in a republic have the officium to ensure that resources are channeled towards affairs that promote social welfare. Cicero seemed to have social prejudices based on the manner that his social philosophy was constituted. There was a run against the idealistic pleadings on behalf of what he considered as societas humana particularly on the lower class occupations. An individual who is indifferent when handling a neighbor will not be different in his actions when handling the community. The neighbor, in this case, makes up the societas humana.
The Lasting Influence of Cicero on Society
Conclusively, Cicero played a significant role in shaping the values of the society when serving under Julius Caesar. His speeches had a profound meaning that provided a guideline on how the society is to be ordered on the economic, political, and social spheres. Whenever addressing issues pertaining to the society, he emphasized the importance of the societas humana that is built on integrity and unity. However, the less idealistic times the respublica contented the values of the societas humana. Cicero's works continued to influence philosophers who aimed to understand the society more in order to suggest the various ways to help in guaranteeing social stability.
References
Cox, V., & Ward, J. (2006). The rhetoric of Cicero in its medieval and early renaissance commentary tradition.
Steel, C. E. W. (2001). Cicero, rhetoric, and empire (p. 144). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Vasaly, A. (1996). Representations: images of the world in Ciceronian oratory. Univ of California Press.
