It might also seem strange that a Roman emperor would be such an advocate of personal liberty and even freedom for his subjects. But be aware: Marcus Aurelius isn't speaking of a fully democratic society in his Meditations. Or at least that's not really his point. He's all about personal freedom—you know, freedom of the mind. Basically, if you ask this guy, true freedom can't be achieved until you retreat into the fortress of your mind and separate it completely from the desires and concerns of the external world.
Questions About Freedom and Confinement
- What does Marcus mean when he talks about being free and independent?
- What does Marcus think about things external to the mind? How do these things affect human liberty?
- What are some things that hamper the freedom of humans? Be specific.
- In what ways does belief in the gods contribute to or detract from personal freedom, in Marcus's opinion?
Chew on This
Marcus believes that a truly free person is totally self-sufficient, not dependent on anyone for anything. Yet he also says that humans were made for each other—so his philosophy is contradictory.
Humans can only be shackled by their thoughts. Fate and destiny have no power over them in this regard.