
Cicero On The Nature Of The Gods book 2 - Religion And Superstition - Sadler's Lectures
Sep 22, 2025
10:57
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero's work, On The Nature Of The Gods, which critically examines Epicurean, Stoic, and Skeptic perspectives on matters of theology and cosmology
Specifically it focuses upon the presentation of Stoic cosmology and theology by Quintus Lucilius Balbus in book 2, and in particular on his discussion of the distinction between two different attitudes of human beings towards the divine beings, one of which is the superstition, the other of which is religion. Having false and anthropomorphic beliefs about the gods, and acting on those beliefs is superstition, something vicious and blameworthy. Having correct beliefs about the gods and comporting oneself towards them in accordance with those beliefs is genuine religion and is something praiseworthy.
To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler
If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM
You can find over 3,500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler
Purchase Cicero's On The Nature Of Gods - amzn.to/3JITSZc
