1. Cicero & the Eclectics
Pierre Gergis

2. Eclecticism
The concept of merging many ideas (from the Greek, eklektikos: choosing the best)
Ancient philosophers who selected doctrines they deemed most reasonable
Stoicism and Epicureanism made truth subordinate to practical virtue and happiness
Skepticism denied pure truth’s impossibility
Eclectics sought to select reasoning from stoics, peripatetic, and other doctrines to reach the highest probability of truth

3. Best-Known Eclectics Panaetius; Posidonius (stoics)
Carnaedes; Philo of Larissa (New Academics)
Varro
Seneca
And of course, the Roman Cicero

4. ¡Eclecticism Exercise!
Each individual takes a turn making a single, all-encompassing statement describing the best form of government
Without altering anything, try to merge all ideas into three conclusive statements about the most ideal form of government

5. ¡Eclecticism Exercise!
Successful? Impossible?

6. Cicero Fully named Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.)
Though he considered himself a part of the New Academy, he practiced, in essence, a form of Eclecticism based on Skepticism
Very well versed in Pre-Socratic and Socratic philosophical literature
Took credit not for being an independent contributor to philosophy, but for eloquently clothing Greek philosophy in Roman dress: “Verba tantum affero, quibus abundo.”

7. Basic Beliefs
Knowledge: first expression of doctrine of innate ideas: all knowledge based on immediate certainty which is common to all men
Antecedent to experience

8. Basic Beliefs
Theology: proves existence of God using the concept of an innate idea of God common to all cultures and times
Also uses Stoic teleological argument: Epicurean doctrine of chance is like the 21 letters in the Latin language being poured out and, at random, form the Annals of Ennius

9. Basic Beliefs
Anthropology: belief in God founds his belief in the dignity of man
The soul is immortal and supernaturally originated; different from matter
Did not discount Stoic idea of firelike soul
Proved the Platonic idea immortality of the soul as well as freedom of the will using the arguments of inner conviction and universal consent

10. Basic Beliefs
Ethics: rejects Epicurean belief that the highest good is pleasure; but recognizes Stoic morality is too severe and exalted to be practically applied
Teaches the Platonic and Aristotelian idea that honors and wealth are good, though virtue is the chief good
The morally good is defined as that which is intrinsically praiseworthy
Borrows idea of distinct vita beata (happy life; benefitted by virtue) and vita beatissima (completely happy life; benefitted by external goods and pleasures)

11. Other Notes
Excellent memory and broad education made Cicero primarily an encyclopedist
He was special, though, because he thoroughly understood what he recorded and translated into Latin
Made no secret of his Greek sources
He added his own notes to the teachings he recorded and applied them to Roman culture
Never intended that any non-Roman would read his and Brutus’ work

12. New Academy
Sides with Plato and Aristotle against Socrates in belief on history of philosophy
Instead of questioning everything, they come up with some answers and beliefs
Makes judgments as to what is practical

13. Legacy
Very influential politician who sided with Brutus and Cato against the ambitious Caesar. He was also depicted in Shakespeare’s play: “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him.”

14. Legacy Eclectic idea of correct government:
“In my opinion, royalty (regium) is far the best of the three particular forms of government; but it is very inferior to that government which is composed of the equal mixture of the three best forms of government united, modified, and tempered by each other. I wish, in fact, to see in a commonwealth, a princely and regal power (placet enim esse quiddam in republicâ, præstans et regale), that another portion of authority should be allotted to the nobles, and that certain things should be reserved to the judgment and wish of the people. This constitution possesses a noble character of equability—a condition necessary to the existence of every free people, and at the same time obtains a wonderful stability; whereas particular governments easily degenerate into something corrupt. Thus absolute monarchs are apt to become despots—aristocracies, factious oligarchies—and the populace a mob and a hubbub (turba et confusio). It often happens, too, that these three kinds of government are expelled and replaced by each other. But in this Syncretic and Mixed government, which unites and amalgamates the partial forms, equal disasters cannot happen without outrageous misconduct among the grandees; for there exists no cause of revolution where every one is firmly established in his appropriate station, and there are few temptations to corrupt his integrity.”

15. Legacy
Basically his view of government was radical and very influential
He sought to merge the benefits of a monarchy (his favorite form of government) with the aristocracy and democracy
Everyone could benefit and be in check

16. Impact
Today, his governmental system seems very similar to America’s “checks & balances” system of government, and is a likely influence
Eclecticism is the primary form of modern philosophy, for obvious reasons
Cicero is widely respected for being, not only knowledgeable, but intellectual and influential (as a Senator)
He learned everything about philosophy before his time, and used his knowledge to devise his own ideas and incorporate them into Roman government

17. ¡Eclecticism Exercise!
For the rest of your life, practice picking and choosing, as well as incorporating your own original contributions, to form the best philosophies in any field

18. Bibliography http://maritain.nd.edu/jmc/etext/hop18.htm
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