Philosophy of Roman Socrates

Gaius Musonius Rufus, or simply Musonius Rufus, is sometimes called the ‘Roman Socrates,’ because of his emphasis on philosophical life. He believed that a philosopher should have studied philosophy more diligently than a doctor studies medicine or a musician studies music. Philosophy is a subject through which we can learn how to live well. He was once exiled to an island, but we can be sure that he boar it like a Stoic philosopher. He says in his lectures that there’s nothing bad about exile. You can’t hide from fellow humans nor the Gods, so why does it matter on which piece of land you reside?

He either didn’t write anything or his writings were lost. We however have his fragments, which were written by his students. Overall, there are 21 lectures of Musonius Rufus and philosophically they might not be as important as the works of Seneca or Epictetus, but thanks to his lectures we can better know what the Stoics thought about eating food, exercising, cutting hair, women, and similar topics.

Musonius thought that philosophers had to deliver their message using as few arguments as possible. He thought that a good doctor was not one who prescribed many drugs, but who prescribed a few effective ones. He acknowledged that some people were duller than others, so people like them would need more arguments. He brings forth an example of a Spartan man and another man who lived lavishly, softly. It takes more arguments to convince the second that things like pain and death are not bad. But the Spartan better understand virtue because was raised in a way that values them. Diogenes Laertius tells us a story about Cleanthes. The Spartan boy asked if toil was not a good thing. This Spartan was so good at virtue, for him, toil was nearer to virtue than pleasure. Cleanthes cited Homer: "Thou art of noble blood, dear child, so noble the words thou speakest."

On another occasion, a Syrian king had visited Musonius. Musonius told him, that kings should also study philosophy. Strangely, we expect doctors to not make mistakes in medicine, but expect everyone to excel at life. To not be unjust or greedy. It is a philosophy that teaches us what is good and what is bad. How to be just, how to be good. And kings certainly should be good, if they don’t wish to have a rebellion in their realms. We need to be just and humble. Like Marcus Aurelius or any good leader for that matter. It is also necessary for a king to be sober, to have self-control, to ascend anger, and be cool-headed. These are the subjects of philosophy and hence kings should also study philosophy. In the end, when the Syrian king asked Rufus what he wished to have, Rufus answered, “I wish you to follow these principles.”

Theoretical knowledge Is good because it prevents errors to happen in practice. But theory alone won’t give us experience. Which captain would you choose? The captain who can talk about navigation but has never ventured on the sea, or someone who has ventured many times? Whom would you choose as a doctor? Someone who can talk about medicine or someone who can’t talk about medicine but has performed many surgeries? Certainly, the second one. The same is true with philosophy. Only knowing the philosophy of Epicurus or Confucius is not enough. We should also embody it. Practice it day and night, because practice can strengthen our body and mind.

Rufus had a somewhat revolutionary idea about women. He had the example of Hipparchia, wife of Crates, as an example, that women can study philosophy as well. Since philosophy teaches us how to live well and women certainly should know how to be loving towards their husbands, how to have household in check, and how to care about children, it is fitting for them to study philosophy.

According to Musonius, what is necessary for old age, is what is necessary when one is young: living in agreement with nature. Horses are not rated by how much they eat or procreate. Nor are dogs. Certain animals have certain characteristics. In the case of human beings, it is to be virtuous. Humans are the only reasonable beings on earth. According to Musonius, we have this divine spark within ourselves called reason. We can become like Gods if we reject lust, injustice, greed, and other vices and become Godlike. Pleasures are not a defense against old age. Nor is the wealth. But by being virtuous, one can take everything nature throws at him. As Marcus Aurelius put it: “Nothing befalls on a man for which he is not fit by nature to bear.”