On Obligations

by P.G. Walsh

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Self Help

218 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2008

About the author

Patrick Gerard Walsh

Reviews

[Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been reading a compilation of works from Cicero entitled "On the Good Life" which included the second book of "On Obligations". I realized that as a person who claims a specialty in the realm of the political sciences I really should have at least a passing knowledge of this important work. And I fail to understand how it is that I managed to have a degree in political science without having been assigned it before.

So, now I have a passing knowledge of the work. I have read the first and second books twice apiece. The third book only once. I might still be confused about why Cicero is so foundational to Western thought because he merely synthesizes the ideas of those who have come before him and not always in the most logical way. Even though I find I agree with him more often than not I also find it more difficult to trace back a clear line of reasoning for why his pronouncement and my opinion should bear any weight. This was not the case with Aristotle or Plato. You might disagree with their logic but they laid it out for you.

That said, I will be reading a few more works from Cicero and I do enjoy the hell out of his writing.

[Nolan Croce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly unoriginal ideas with a few jewels of unique thought. Cicero's writing is good but it isn't special.