home


 * Assignment**: (Create multiple pages for the following as needed. For each page created, use in-paragraph citation and for your bibliographic information you are required to use the [|MLA format].)

1. //As a group, write a multi-paragraph summary of the underlying arguments and postions presented in your assigned selection.// Be sure to provide examples from the text (quotes), explaining how your evidence reveals the author's arguments and positions. Be sure to represent every valid interpretation of the text posited by your group members (you might need multiple sections), even (especially) any dissenting interpretations.

2. Each member of your group must write an organized analysis of how these arguments and positions summarized above show up in our nation's history and within our modern society. Make sure to include documented examples (research is a must) to support your assertions. Each member of your group must create an indivdual page linked to this main page, complete with a works-cited section. For citation in paragraphs and for your bibliographic information you are required to use the [|MLA format].

Cicero’s second book on duties, De Officiis 2, focuses mainly on what is beneficial for life; including wealth, power, and necessary resources. The book can also be thought of as a guide for political leaders to follow. He focuses a lot on society and what needs to be done to keep society running smoothly. One of his main points is that selfishness of any form should be absent. A leader can practice ruling unselfishly by using the wealth and power gained from his high position and using it to better society and its people, using his powerful voice. A selfish ruler will take attention away from what needs to be done for society. He also spends time stressing the ideas of dealing in honesty. An honest leader does not desire glory. He bases all of his views on his extensive knowledge of philosophy. His views can be seen as accurate and well supported, “having been conversant with these studies from my early days, I thought that my chagrin could be most honorably laid aside if I betook myself to philosophy.” (Ch. 1). It is because of his study of philosophy that he develops the main ideas of Book 2 concerning honorableness, duty, justice, and truth.

In Cicero's books on duties, one of the main positions is what is beneficial for life. Cicero concludes what that wealth, power, and resources are all beneficial, but how are we supposed obtain these aspects of life? By obtaining wisdom, Cicero believes that life and all its benefits can be achieved. After all "what, in the name of the gods, is more desirable than wisdom?"(section 2) Cicero also believes that in order for us to fully understand life, we must never stop searching for the truth, because searching for the truth will always lead to wisdom. Cicero despises those who believe they have finally found truth however, saying it is much more pleasurable experience to gain more and more knowledge about life and truth. He states that people who are content don't know "what pleasure can be compared with the pursuits of those who are always searching."(section 2) In the end, cicero believes that obtaining wisdom makes people sort of like philosphers, and that if we are philosphers then we will never cease searching for truth, which means we will know what is beneficial and just.

In Cicero Book Two there are three main important topics that Cicero talks about. Virtue is the second one. Virtue in the dictionary is defined as moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. "Or if regard is paid to consistency of character and to virtue, either this is the science by which we may attain them, or there is none at all." (II [|Cicero Book 2]) Here Cicero says that the act of virtue is not a science but should be natural. It should be a reaccuring action and if it is a science then it is not true virtue. Cicero says that Virtue rest on three main ideas. One, perception of what is true, what follows from what, what is the cause of something. Two, restraining emotions; reason must keep impulses under control. Three, working with others to secure needs of human nature for all. Cicero says to realize the true meaning of these ideas you must look into philosophy. He says that only someone who is “shrewd”, a person who is smart and manipulating, can only possess these characteristics. Cicero says that if someone was shrewd and possessed the characteristics, that man would find a way to make this him seem selfish. He says even though a community would be run best by someone who is shrewd, honorable, just and bonds well with others, it will never be that way.

In Cicero Book II, Cicero discusses how there are two methods of generosity; giving money and rendering a service. Giving money has to do with balancing your life and giving to others not more than you have because that leads to greed. Another thing that Cicero points out is how giving one huge display of generosity is nice at that moment but does not have a lasting effect as it would be if you were to give less to charity consistently. By one person being generous it encourages others to do the same. “” Cicero makes it clear that people will follow others and the more people that help the more people that benefit. The second method to generosity is rendering a service. If you are well off and you are honorable and decent, then you need to give back to the community. Cicero believed that rich people need to not be stuck up and think that they are better than others just because they are rich. .” Cicero also explains how the rich have to want to give because it is the better thing to do rather than doing just because they know they should.


 * Ideas of Cicero's Book 2 Represented in History And Modern Society- (By Ellie Edles)**


 * Ideas Of Cicero's Book 2 Represented in History And Modern Society (By Jacob Wachman)

Ideas Of Cicero's Book 2 Represented in History And Modern Society- Tyler Andrews

__Ideas Of Cicero's Book 2 Represented in History And Modern Society(By Danny O'Neil)__**