546. On Duty by Cicero a new translation by Adkins. Cicero addressed this work to his son who at the time was studying in Athens. In one sense it is meant as a guide for a political leader. It is important to keep in mind that Cicero believed that a politician should be a professional one. It requires rigorous training in practice and theory for many years By pursuing truth, practicing justice and beneficence, displaying courage and acting in a seemly manner a person helps to bind society together. This is what I mean when I say that Cicero wants On Duty to be a guide for a political leader This is tough stuff. There are virtues to attain.
The first is truth. The search for the truth Cicero almost considers an instinct. We want to learn and many times children continue to learn or investigate even though punishment may be in the offing. But the virtue of pursuing truth lies in action. Learning something only for oneself to Cicero is alien to being human; it is worse than being selfish. Cicero does remark that one’s interests may allow reflective thought which would help one’s fellow humans. For all of these virtues ( pursuit of truth, practicing justice, displaying courage and acting in a seemly manner) are thought of in terms of reaching out to fellow humans, sharing, interacting.
Cicero says later in On Duty that those are wrong who say we formed society to get what we could not get by ourselves. He says that we would want to share what we know, interact and deal with other people, even if all of our needs/wants were met. Cicero says humans are social animals. The next is justice. Justice to Cicero is activity. It does not live in some cubby hole awaiting erudite contemplation WITHOUT action. The two go together. We have an obligation to act in a just manner but also an obligation to prevent justice. To fail to do either weakens the bonds of society and abandons fellowship.
If I am named in a will as the heir, but before the person died, he asked me privately to take care of something. By law I am only required to do what law touches. But justice dictates that I have an obligation to fulfill. On the question of keeping promises which this little tale concerns- one must always think of what was meant not what was said. Justice is not hard and fast but requires flexible interpretation. This does not mean that justice is what I decide for myself it is. Like I said this is a tuffy. I do not pretend to be an expert here.
Beneficence is an aspect of justice. In this is covered the giving of kindness via one’s time and or money. Sort of like the random acts of kindness bantered about these days. Beneficence can be in the form of money or a service. Cicero favors a service. Money is the easy way to go. Service requires effort. But Cicero says this more likely binds society for it encourages others to do the same not just for you but others. Think of this whole Duty system as a nexus. Cicero wants to bind society. Remember Cicero thinks that the pursuit of truth involves action. For Plato knowledge, if separated from justice, should be termed craftiness rather than wisdom. For then one is learning this stuff for themselves and themselves alone, not in the sense that one is part of society. Justice is practiced. Beneficence necessitates one’s involvement in society, with people, other humans.
Next is courage. Stoics define courage as the virtue which fights on behalf of fairness. “Courage” which fights not for common safety but for its own advantage it is not “courage” but vice.
Next virtue is seemliness. Seemliness is a weird word. But it is the one used in the translation. Seemliness is restraint and modesty in one’s action, words, walk etc. It covers a whole lot of stuff. Although any teacher knows lack of seemliness in a walk by an obnoxious student. Cicero defines seemliness as that which prevents outrage in another. So if you think of it this way, may be it is not so hard to grasp.
All of this above is the involved in the pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom Cicero defines as the knowledge of everything divine and human and of their causes which regulate these. As far as Cicero is concerned anyone not intrigued with the scope of this is a dolt. Nothing would stir such a person’s soul. He is probably right. His goal is to establish a desire to pursue all of this stuff in the hearts of others and to get them to serve the interests of society, too. Cicero points out that every plan of life requires assistance from others. That is why none of this stuff is in isolation from the others.
Some philosophers maintain that virtue is desired only in so far as what benefit it may bring to a person. With this type of thinking what is justice may come into conflict with what is beneficial. This sure boils Cicero’s blood. His response. If someone is shrewd and appears to possess justice or courage or seemliness then the bonds between one person and another will only exist to the point where something selfish can be derived from it. It will be seen as a sham for what it is by good people and consequently rejected. Thus a community will not be drawn together. It fact it will be torn apart. Cicero looks for a rule of procedure here. Lets try one of his examples. Someone considers poverty something to be avoided. This person thinks that doing an injustice to someone to get out of poverty is ok. To do so to another, this person can not look upon someone else as a close friend, a relative etc. In fact this person would look at other people not as people but objects. I wonder if this is partly the origin of Nazis behavior toward Jews. This is contrary to human nature for human nature shows us that humans are by nature social and crave sharing life. The rule of procedure is: benefit of each individual and benefit of all should be the same. Try this one. If no one were to know, to suspect that you committed a wrong for riches or power etc., would you do it? If you reply that you would do the expedient, you admit you are iniquitous . If you say that you would not, then you concede that everything dishonorable should be avoided. Cicero uses many interesting examples which every business person, government official should read.
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