Cicero On Duties

The Ciceronian Society

Reading of & commentary on Cicero's work On Duties (De Officiis)

  1. 16H AGO

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 15 - Advice to Statesmen (2)

    The great spirited man must avoid anger and arrogance. With hosts Chris Anadale, Ethan Alexander-Davey, and Ben Peterson. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 79-86 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His philosophy YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. Aristocratic Souls: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Souls-Democratic-Political-Theory/dp/1498553265 Aristocratic Voices: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Voices-Forgotten-Arguments-Inequality/dp/1666933147/ Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Abilene Christianity University, where his research and teaching focus on political theory. He writes about constitutional theory & the institutional implications of differing philosophical and religious foundations. He teaches courses on American government and politics, political science methodology, and political theory, and also contributes essays to publications for a broad audience about public affairs. His website is https://benapeterson.com/ His book Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic. https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9798216255741/ ----- MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome, by Josiah Osgood (2025). https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Republic-Rise-Cicero-Decline/dp/1541604253 ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - Reading Through On Duties(00:02:23) - A Lesson on Anger(00:04:43) - Cicero on Anger and the Rule of Law(00:12:54) - A Little Advice for Successors(00:14:55) - Aristotelian Humility(00:21:19) - No More Comments on Section 92(00:21:36) - Plato on Wealth and the Statesman(00:27:09) - The Life of the Philosopher(00:29:12) - Cicero's On Duties

    30 min
  2. APR 8

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 14 - Advice to Statesmen (1)

    The great spirited man must govern himself with Reason. With hosts Chris Anadale, Ethan Alexander-Davey, and Ben Peterson. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 79-86 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His philosophy YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. Aristocratic Souls: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Souls-Democratic-Political-Theory/dp/1498553265 Aristocratic Voices: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Voices-Forgotten-Arguments-Inequality/dp/1666933147/ Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Abilene Christianity University, where his research and teaching focus on political theory. He writes about constitutional theory & the institutional implications of differing philosophical and religious foundations. He teaches courses on American government and politics, political science methodology, and political theory, and also contributes essays to publications for a broad audience about public affairs. His website is https://benapeterson.com/ His book Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic. https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9798216255741/ ----- MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome, by Josiah Osgood (2025). https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Republic-Rise-Cicero-Decline/dp/1541604253 ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - Cicero: On Duties(00:01:44) - Cicero on Virtue (Book 1)(00:04:48) - Cicero on the Supremacy of Reason(00:08:48) - Philosopher Against War, Chapter 84(00:10:53) - In times of danger, prudence is essential(00:12:09) - Cicero on Liberty and the Statesman(00:18:57) - Cicero on the Republic(00:26:53) - Cicero on the Right to Rule(00:28:47) - A Taste of Ciceronian Society: On Duties

    30 min
  3. APR 1

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 13 - Greatness of Spirit (2)

    Civic affairs are more glorious than military affairs. With hosts Chris Anadale, Ben Peterson, and James Patterson. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 70-78 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His philosophy YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Abilene Christianity University, where his research and teaching focus on political theory. He writes about constitutional theory & the institutional implications of differing philosophical and religious foundations. He teaches courses on American government and politics, political science methodology, and political theory, and also contributes essays to publications for a broad audience about public affairs. His website is https://benapeterson.com/ His book Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic. https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9798216255741/ James Patterson is an Associate Professor in the Institute of American Civics at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He specializes in race, religion, and American political thought and is a regular subject-area expert for the media on contemporary religion and politics. Patterson is the author of Religion in the Public Square: Sheen, King, Falwell and co-author of a forthcoming book examining the problems with postliberalism alongside Thomas Howe. His works have appeared in American Political Thought, Perspectives on Political Science, Political Science Reviewer, and the Journal of Church and State. He also contributes articles to and hosts a podcast for Law & Liberty. Patterson holds a Ph.D. in politics from the University of Virginia. ----- MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome, by Josiah Osgood (2025). https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Republic-Rise-Cicero-Decline/dp/1541604253 Parnell's Funeral, by William Butler Yeats. https://allpoetry.com/Parnell's-Funeral ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - Cicero: On Duties(00:02:59) - Cicero(00:07:30) - Cicero on leisure and the political life(00:09:35) - Tocqueville on the Right to Public Life(00:13:13) - St. James: The Right Action(00:17:14) - The duties of public life(00:18:56) - Cicero on His Own Life(00:23:26) - Cicero on The Importance of Civic Life(00:30:39) - Cicero Brings His Own Glory to His Son(00:37:52) - Cicero on His Own Times(00:39:18) - Cicero: The Right to Speak(00:42:41) - Read Through: On Duties, Chapter 79

    43 min
  4. MAR 25

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 12 - Greatness of Spirit (1)

    The great spirited man does great deeds and disdains external things. With hosts Chris Anadale, Ethan Alexander-Davey, and Ben Peterson. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 61-69 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale  Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. Aristocratic Souls: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Souls-Democratic-Political-Theory/dp/1498553265 Aristocratic Voices: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Voices-Forgotten-Arguments-Inequality/dp/1666933147/ Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Abilene Christianity University, where his research and teaching focus on political theory. He writes about constitutional theory & the institutional implications of differing philosophical and religious foundations. He teaches courses on American government and politics, political science methodology, and political theory, and also contributes essays to publications for a broad audience about public affairs. His book Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic. https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9798216255741/ https://benapeterson.com/ ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit http://ciceroniansociety.org Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - Cicero: On Duties(00:01:40) - Cicero on Duties, Chapter 61(00:07:17) - Stoic courage in chapter 62(00:08:43) - Loftiness of Spirit and Great deeds(00:12:11) - A Lesson on Preeminent Spirits(00:14:19) - Cicero on Liberty and Ambition(00:19:43) - Cicero on Great Spirits (67)(00:25:06) - St. Leo on Desires and Money(00:31:05) - Cicero on Duties (Book 1)

    35 min
  5. MAR 18

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 11 - Liberality, Generosity (3)

    Our duties towards country, parents, and friends. With hosts Chris Anadale, Ethan Alexander-Davey, and Ben Peterson. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 55-60 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale  Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. Aristocratic Souls: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Souls-Democratic-Political-Theory/dp/1498553265 Aristocratic Voices: https://www.amazon.com/Aristocratic-Voices-Forgotten-Arguments-Inequality/dp/1666933147/ Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Abilene Christianity University, where his research and teaching focus on political theory. He writes about constitutional theory & the institutional implications of differing philosophical and religious foundations. He teaches courses on American government and politics, political science methodology, and political theory, and also contributes essays to publications for a broad audience about public affairs. His book Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic. https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9798216255741/ https://benapeterson.com/ ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit http://ciceroniansociety.org Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - On Duties: Reading Through the Podcast(00:02:06) - On Cicero's On Duties(00:03:23) - On Duties, Book 1(00:05:34) - Cicero on Friendship and the Republic(00:11:39) - Cicero on the Love of the Republic (58)(00:15:26) - Duties owed on the basis of gratitude(00:19:38) - Cicero on Duty to the Fatherland(00:24:59) - Cicero on Honorableness and Experience(00:29:35) - On Duties Podcast

    30 min
  6. MAR 11

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 10 - Liberality, Generosity (2)

    Our duties towards people of differing station and dignity. With hosts Chris Anadale and Ethan Alexander-Davey. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 46-54 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale  Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - On Duties(00:05:21) - Cicero on Goodwill(00:10:25) - 3. Human fellowship and community(00:12:24) - Cicero on Human Friendship and Community(00:17:03) - Ennius, The Law of generosity(00:22:12) - Six degrees of fellowship among men(00:24:11) - Cicero on The Right to Give(00:29:48) - Book One

    31 min
  7. MAR 4

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 9 - Liberality, Generosity (1)

    Rules governing our generous behavior towards others. With hosts Chris Anadale and Ethan Alexander-Davey. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 41-45 ----- HOSTS Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale  Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law.  He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books. ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis Mentioned in this episode: The Philosophy of Philip Rieff, https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Philip-Rieff-Cultural-Conflict/dp/1350424544/ ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami 0#cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - Reading Through On Duties(00:01:15) - Cicero vs Hobbes(00:04:09) - On Duties, Chapter 41(00:06:04) - Cicero on Justice for Slaves (19)(00:08:46) - 3. Beneficial and Liberality(00:09:52) - 3 Ethics of Beneficial Aid(00:11:00) - Cicero on Homo Sordidus(00:16:57) - Cicero on Stations and Liberty(00:18:59) - Cicero on Generosity(00:22:46) - Cicero on Philanthropy(00:25:13) - A Treatise on Liberty (Book 1)(00:27:28) - On Duties: Book One (

    28 min
  8. FEB 25

    Cicero On Duties, Episode 8 - Justice in War (2)

    Duties regarding promise keeping in war and wars for empire. With hosts Josh Bowman, Chris Anadale, and Katherine Bradshaw. ----- IN THIS EPISODE Book 1, Chapters 38-40 ----- HOSTS Josh Bowman is Executive Director of the Ciceronian Society, and earned a PhD in politics from the Catholic University of America. Christopher Anadale is podcast editor for the Ciceronian Society, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/christopheranadale  Katherine L. Bradshaw is a Latin and Greek Fellow with the Ancient Language Institute, an Adjunct Faculty Member teaching Ancient Greek at Abilene Christian University, and a Ph.D. student in Humanities through Faulkner University. She has an M.A. in Classics from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in English from the George Washington University. ----- TEXTS Translation we read from: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/texts-political-thought/cicero-duties?format=PB&isbn=9780521348355 Another (free) translation: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/cicero-on-moral-duties-de-officiis ----- The Ciceronian Society encourages and equips Christian Scholars as they serve the church. To learn more, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/  Check out our other Podcast, THE SOWER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfZnkwh_UjXjhXEg5P8dUq0q Music: No. 4 Piano Journey, by Esther Abrami #cicero #philosophy #ethics Chapters (00:00:00) - On Duties(00:04:46) - Cicero on Duty (Book One)(00:09:46) - Sisera on Wars for Glory and Survival(00:11:36) - Cicero on The Imperium(00:16:06) - Cicero on Honor and Disobeying Orders(00:20:59) - Cicero on the Duties of War(00:26:14) - A Cicero Lecture on War

    31 min

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Reading of & commentary on Cicero's work On Duties (De Officiis)