§8.13.1Διηνεκῶς καὶ ἐπὶ πάσης, εἰ οἶόν τε, φαντασίας φυσιολογεῖν, παθολογεῖν, διαλεκτικεύεσθαι.
Constantly and, if possible, on every impression, to study nature, to analyze the passions, and to practice dialectic.
Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §8.13.1
Analyzing Impressions by Physics, Ethics, and Logic
Summary
The author exhorts to constantly analyze every impression using the methods derived from the three divisions of Stoic philosophy: physics, ethics (passions), and dialectics.
Notes
- 8.13.1φυσιολογεῖν, παθολογεῖν, διαλεκτικεύεσθαι — These three infinitives (present active and middle) are used as independent infinitives expressing a command or exhortation (imperative infinitives). They represent the practice of the three main divisions of Stoic philosophy: physics (studying nature), ethics (specifically analyzing the passions), and logic (practicing dialectic).
- 8.13.1ἐπὶ πάσης ... φαντασίας — The preposition ἐπί with the genitive means 'on the occasion of' or 'in the case of'. In Stoic philosophy, φαντασία (impression, representation) is a crucial epistemological and ethical concept referring to the impression made by external objects on the soul, which must always be rationally examined.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §8.13.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:8.13.1
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