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Great books in just a few words
     
 

This section has summaries of books that deal with philosopical themes, with a special focus on the very old and influential books. It's often hard to read those books and often even harder to enjoy and understand them because they are written by and for people with a totally different world view. The purpose of these summaries is to get the essence out of these (in most cases) ancient books and to explain them in 21th century terms with a special focus on keeping the summaries short.

 
     
     
 
The Republic Author: Plato / Socrates

Theme: Justice (What is the best way to live your life)
Occupation Socrates: He was the teacher of many of the most important people in Athens including Plato and he was a public figure who discussed philosophy in the market place.
Occupation Plato: Started a university and was the teacher of Aristotle.
Publishing year: 380 BC
Original language: Ancient Greek
Original form: Book

Outline:
Socrates is asked to join a conversation with some leading figures in Athens and the question what is justice is raised. The different personalities start an argument and Socrates argues that Justice = wisdom + courage + moderation. In his explanation of that formula he covers different topics like education, the physical world and the application to both an individual and to a state.
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Meditations Author: Marcus Aurelius

Theme: Life
Occupation Marcus Aurelius: Roman Emperor
Publishing year: 170 - 180 AD
Original language: Ancient Greek
Original form: Diary not meant for publishing

Outline:
The diary and private thoughts of the most powerfull man in the world. You will see the thoughts and life philosophies of a sensitive well educated man who has devoted his life to ruling a troubled slowly declining empire as well as possible.
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On Moral Duties Author: Cicero

Theme: Justice (What is the best way to live your life)
Occupation Cicero: Leading Roman politician, lawyer and philosopher
Publishing year: 44 BC
Original language: Latin
Original form: Letter to his son

Outline:
This book was an attempt to explain Greek philosophy and especially "The Republic" by Plato in easier and more moderate terms to Cicero's own son. Yet the explanation grew out to be just as influential as the original works. Plato's book for example is very abstract and is vaguely implying a lot of ideas which are translated to practical terms in this book.
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Author Month written Modified for publishing First Published Last Modified
Dennis Wagenaar July and August 2009 August 2009 September 20, 2009 September 20, 2009