Johnathan Bi How to Combine Action & Contemplation | Katharina Volk on Cicero & Caesar
9 snips
Aug 23, 2024 
Katharina Volk, a scholar renowned for her expertise on Cicero and Roman philosophy, dives into the contrasting approaches of Caesar and Cicero. She discusses how Cicero's reflective oratory clashed with Caesar's decisive actions. Volk also explores the rich interplay between philosophy and politics in Ancient Rome, and how Cicero's skepticism informed his political engagement. Additionally, she unpacks Caesar's calendar reform and its historical significance, while considering the implications of Epicurean thought on his leadership style.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Roman Intellectual Aristocracy
- Late Roman Republic featured a unique intellectual elite merging political power and serious scholarship.
- Aristocrats engaged deeply with Greek culture, shaping Latin literary and philosophical traditions.
Cicero's Skeptical Flexibility
- Cicero's skepticism aligns with oratory, allowing him to argue all sides and remain flexible.
- His probabilistic skepticism permits action with humility rather than dogmatic certainty.
Caesar’s Rational Style and Politics
- Caesar's style is terse and systematic, matching his direct, rational personality.
- His linguistic writings promote regularity, reflecting his rational approach to politics and reforms.