Plutarch was a Greek philosopher, historian, and biographer who lived from 46 to 120 CE. He was a prolific writer and is best known for his biographical works, which included the Parallel Lives and the Moralia. Plutarch’s philosophy was influenced by the teachings of the Stoics, but he also drew on the ideas of other ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.
Plutarch believed that the purpose of philosophy was to help individuals live a virtuous and meaningful life. He believed that philosophy was not merely an academic pursuit, but rather a practical discipline that could be used to improve one’s character and behavior. He believed that philosophy was a means of cultivating wisdom, self-control, and courage, and that it could be used to promote the common good.
One of the central themes of Plutarch’s philosophy was the importance of ethical behavior. He believed that ethical behavior was essential to living a happy and fulfilling life, and that individuals had a moral obligation to act in accordance with virtue. He believed that ethical behavior was based on reason, and that individuals had the ability to choose how they would act in any given situation.
Plutarch also believed in the concept of eudaimonia, which is often translated as happiness or well-being. He believed that eudaimonia was the ultimate goal of human life, and that it could be achieved through living a virtuous life. He believed that eudaimonia was not merely a state of mind, but rather a state of being that was achieved through living a life of virtue.
Another important theme in Plutarch’s philosophy was the concept of the divine. Plutarch believed in the existence of a higher power or divine force, which he referred to as the daimonion. He believed that the daimonion was responsible for guiding individuals towards the right course of action and helping them to live a virtuous life. He believed that the daimonion was not a personal god, but rather a non-personal force that was present in all things.
Plutarch also believed in the concept of providence, which he defined as the guiding force that governed the universe. He believed that providence was responsible for maintaining order and harmony in the universe, and that it was expressed through the laws of nature and the moral order of the universe. He believed that providence was a source of comfort and consolation, and that it could be used to help individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives.
One of the key contributions of Plutarch’s philosophy was his concept of the education of the soul. He believed that the education of the soul was a lifelong process that involved the cultivation of wisdom, self-control, and courage. He believed that the education of the soul was not merely an intellectual pursuit, but rather a practical discipline that could be used to improve one’s character and behavior.
According to Plutarch, the education of the soul was achieved through the study of philosophy, literature, and history. He believed that the study of philosophy was essential to cultivating wisdom, while the study of literature and history was essential to developing empathy and understanding. He believed that individuals who were well-educated would be better equipped to live a virtuous and meaningful life.
Plutarch also believed in the importance of friendship and community. He believed that individuals were social creatures who were meant to live in communities, and that friendships were essential to living a happy and fulfilling life. He believed that friendships were based on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to living a virtuous life. He believed that individuals who were surrounded by good friends and a supportive community would be better equipped to face life’s challenges and to live a life of meaning and purpose.
In conclusion, Plutarch’s philosophy was grounded in the belief that philosophy should be used to help individuals live a virtuous and meaningful life. He believed that the purpose of philosophy was not merely academic, but practical, and that it could be used to promote the common good. Plutarch emphasized the importance of ethical behavior, eudaimonia, the divine, providence, the education of the soul, and friendship and community. His belief in the education of the soul as a lifelong process that involved the cultivation of wisdom, self-control, and courage, through the study of philosophy, literature, and history, remains relevant today. Plutarch’s philosophy is a reminder that philosophy should not be confined to academic circles, but rather used to improve the lives of individuals and communities.