The Academic Questions, Treatise De Finibus, and Tusculan Disputations, of M.T. Cicero, With a Sketch of the Greek Philosophers Mentioned by Cicero

"The Academic Questions, Treatise De Finibus, and Tusculan Disputations" by M.T. Cicero is a philosophical treatise written in the late 19th century. This work includes translations and discussions of various philosophical ideas attributed to Socrates and other ancient Greek philosophers, addressing topics such as ethics, virtue, and the nature of the good life. Cicero aims to present philosophical ideals in a form accessible to his contemporaries, emphasizing the importance of philosophy for personal and societal improvement. At the start of this collection, Cicero introduces the intent behind his work as he converses with friends discussing the necessity and value of engaging with philosophy, particularly the Greek philosophical traditions. The opening portion recounts a dialogue in which Cicero's friend, Varro, discusses his own philosophical pursuits and the reasons behind his writing. The discussion navigates through the significance of philosophy in contemporary life, its historical roots, and the challenge of expressing complex ideas in Latin. The participants reflect on the influence of previous philosophers, including Socrates and Plato, and the importance of translating and discussing these ideas in their native language to enrich their understanding and practices. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, writer and Academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the establishment of the Roman Empire. His extensive writings include treatises on rhetoric, philosophy and politics. He is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists and the innovator of what became known as "Ciceronian rhetoric". Cicero was educated in Rome and in Greece. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and served as consul in 63 BC.