Description
You think you know Marcus Aurelius, but you, and the rest of the world, may have misread his most famous work for centuries. Join us as we explore the compelling arguments made by philosopher Dr. William O. Stephens.
In this talk, Stephens aims to achieve two goals:
Reframe the book: He explains why it is more accurate to call the text Memoranda rather than Meditations.
Define the "Philosopher King": He unpacks the subtitle of his own book, clarifying in what precise sense Marcus was—and was not—a philosopher.
Why "Memoranda"?
Stephens argues that the traditional label, Meditations, encourages a "devotional misreading." The ancient notebook was originally untitled; the label we use today was applied during its early modern reception. The Greek words Marcus actually used refer to keeping notes, being reminded, and prodding oneself to remember first principles.
Marcus did not compose a serene spiritual classic for polite, after-dinner quotation. He kept a working notebook to remind himself how to think and act when the world was on fire. The pages are filled with lists, refrains, and short argumentative nudges that function like marginalia to a life. He essentially told himself: "Remember nature's order. Remember what is in your power. Remember how to discharge a role."
Calling the book Memoranda brings the genre into focus: these are a Roman emperor's prompts for self-correction under pressure.
Why Read the Memoranda Today?
We should care about Marcus today because the Memoranda models the kind of inner discipline that keeps leaders and citizens from making a bad situation worse. The pages serve as a manual for keeping fear, anger, and greed at bay so that you can simply do the next just thing. This is a practical contribution to any society under stress.
Stephens advises us to use the book the way Marcus did: not as a coffee table classic, but as a working notebook. Less quotation, more remembering, and more dutiful doing.
About our Presenter
Dr. William O. Stephens was born and raised in West Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Purdue University professors. His passion for ancient civilizations and Latin began in high school under the guidance of his inspiring teacher, Oliver Oesch.
After beginning his college journey at the College of Wooster, Dr. Stephens completed his undergraduate education at Earlham, a Quaker college in Indiana, where he balanced his studies in philosophy, Greek, and Latin with playing varsity tennis. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1984 before pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
At Penn, he studied under distinguished scholars including Charles Kahn and Alexander Nehamas, receiving his doctorate in philosophy in 1990. Dr. Stephens then dedicated thirty years to teaching at Creighton University in Omaha, where he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus of Philosophy upon his retirement in December 2020.
More about our presenter
https://williamostephens.com/
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/M/bo258381665.html
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/epictetuss-encheiridion-9781350009516/
About Conversations
Conversations with Modern Stoicism is an interactive virtual gathering that provides an opportunity for Stoics around the world to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue with each other.
The events feature a presentation from a respected speaker followed by multiple rounds of audience conversations via the Breakout Rooms feature in Zoom.
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