Sadler's Lectures
Cicero On Duties Book 1 - Just Limits On Revenge And Punishment - Sadler's Lectures
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero's work, On Duties (De Officiis), which presents a largely Stoic view on ethics, virtues, relationships, and duties or moral obligations
Specifically it examines the duties that we owe towards those who do wrong, harm, or insult to us or those we care about. In Cicero's view, punishment, retribution, or vindication ought to be maintained within limits, or it becomes unjust. He focuses particularly on deterrence as a main reason for punishing. He also affirms the Stoic position that anger is a bad thing, so that this emotion is liable to lead us to punish in ways that are unfair, inconsistent, or excessive.
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- Broadcast on:
- 09 Dec 2022