On Cicero’s Critique of Reason

Abstract

In contemporary thinking, “reason” has become synonymous with “correctness” to the extent that it is even capable of prescribing laws to nature. Ancient philosophers, including Plato and Cicero, offered a holistic, profound, and clear understanding of its connotations. As a symbol that distinguishes humans from animals and the requisite means or tools for seeking the truth, reason is characterized by both divinity and nobility. It also maintains a degree of neutrality, with the right use of reason as the key to determining its nature. In essence, reason is a type of calculation that can be used to do either good or evil. Hence, it must be supplemented by divinity and virtue. As a cognitive faculty, to reason is to perceive one’s own limits and practice moderation, temperance, and prudence, thus maintaining a full grasp of the world and becoming a useful being

Keywords

• reason
• cicero
• divinity
• neutrality
• limits