Cicero and Libertarianism

In this essay, I focus on Cicero as the father of libertarian private property entitlements and how his position on that matter connects to his outlook on natural law, the common good, the primary function of the state, and the class structure of Roman society. Finally, I provide a summary evaluation of Cicero’s aristocratic conservatism that concludes that, unfortunately, at times even the greatest Romans forgot that where human beings are concerned our most resplendent excellences, if torqued too tightly, can degenerate into our most vile shortcomings

The Ethics of Interpretation in Political Theory and Intellectual History

Scholars studying classic political texts face an important decision: Should these texts be read as artifacts of history or as sources for still-valid insights about politics today? Competing historical and “presentist” approaches to political thought do not have a methodological dispute—that is, a disagreement about the most effective scholarly means to an agreed-upon end. They instead have an ethical dispute about the respective value of competing activities that aim at different purposes. This article examines six ethical arguments, drawn primarily from the work of Quentin Skinner, in favor of the historical approach. It concludes that while both intellectual history and presentist theory are ethically justifiable, the best justification of the former enterprise is that it can help us achieve the purposes of the latter

Dante's Deadly Sins Moral Philosophy In Hell

"Belliotti demonstrates remarkable parallels between Dante's moral vision and modern Existentialist philosophy. He skillfully elucidates moral possibilities that we too confront when challenged by evildoing, punishment, freedom, and love." -Robert Ginsberg, Director, The International Center for the Arts, Humanities, and Value Inquiry "Most engaging about this work is the author's distinctive vision and voice, his capacity to bring together unexpected combinations of thought and style in ways that are insightful and productive. This is a work informed by broad learning, yet comfortable with personal anecdotes and pop culture references. As an exploration of classic literature as the source of philosophical engagement, it is original and thought-provoking." -Jeffrey Nesteruk, Franklin & Marshall College.Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Dedication -- ABOUT THE AUTHOR -- PREFACE -- The Rationale -- The Origin -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- INTRODUCTION -- The Historical Context -- The Life of Dante -- Later Writings -- The Commedia -- Dante's Death -- Aims of this Book -- Dante as Moral Philosopher -- 1 INFERNO -- Dante's Mission -- The Journey Begins -- Vestibule (Ante-Hell): The Indecisive Neutrals -- Upper Hell: Sins of Unrestrained Desire (the Wolf) -- River Styx, Walls of the City of Dis -- Lower Hell: Sins of Malice Leading to Violence (the Lion) -- Lower Hell: Sins of Malice Leading to Fraud (the Leopard) -- Dante's Existential Lessons in Hell -- 2 PURGATORIO -- Purgatory in a Nutshell -- The Journey Continues -- Ante-Purgatory: Late Repentants -- Gate of Purgatory -- The First Three Terraces: Misdirected Love -- The Fourth Terrace: Deficient Love of the Good -- The Final Three Terraces: Excessive Love of Secondary Goods -- Dante's Existential Lessons in Purgatory -- 3 THE NOTION OF DESERT AND THE LAW OF CONTRAPASSO -- The Notion of Desert -- The Contrapasso -- The Problem of Proportionality -- First Case Study: Francesca -- Second Case Study: Brutus and Cassius -- Third Case Study: Epicurus -- Dante's Moral Conception -- 4 PARADOXES AND PUZZLES -- The Paradox of Virgil -- Summary of the Paradox of Virgil -- The Strange Case of Cato -- "The Perfect Stoic" -- Dante's Decision -- Dante and Conflict -- 5 THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS -- Historical Background -- Superbia (Pride) -- Invidia (Envy) -- Ira (Wrath) -- Acedia (Sloth) -- Avaritia (Avarice) -- Gula (Gluttony) -- Luxuria (Lust) -- The Antidote: Righteous Love -- The Bridge to Salvation -- 6 DANTE'S EXISTENTIAL MORAL LESSONS -- Dante and Existentialism -- Jean-Paul Sartre and Hell -- Dante's Ten Existential Lessons -- Individualism and Community -- Personal Strategies -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX"Belliotti demonstrates remarkable parallels between Dante's moral vision and modern Existentialist philosophy. He skillfully elucidates moral possibilities that we too confront when challenged by evildoing, punishment, freedom, and love." -Robert Ginsberg, Director, The International Center for the Arts, Humanities, and Value Inquiry "Most engaging about this work is the author's distinctive vision and voice, his capacity to bring together unexpected combinations of thought and style in ways that are insightful and productive. This is a work informed by broad learning, yet comfortable with personal anecdotes and pop culture references. As an exploration of classic literature as the source of philosophical engagement, it is original and thought-provoking." -Jeffrey Nesteruk, Franklin & Marshall College.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries