A philosopher king review: Marcus Aurelius

A philosopher should ideally be at the head of the best state, as envisioned in Plato's ideal of governance. If this ideal cannot be realized, the best alternative is for the rulers themselves to embrace philosophy. Although Plato's state remained a utopia, the moral and political philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, a significant figure in the late Stoic school and recognized as a wise king, holds great importance. He serves as a noteworthy example of the practical historical reflection of the philosopher-king image. From this perspective, the question this thesis seeks to answer is to what extent Marcus Aurelius can be characterized as a philosopher-king. The aim of this thesis is to examine how closely Marcus Aurelius's philosophical approach and practical applications as a king align with the fundamental principles of both Plato's and Stoic philosophy. The main argument of the thesis is that while Plato's philosopher-king symbolizes wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation, Stoic philosophy similarly focuses primarily on moral teachings and emphasizes virtues that are compatible with Plato's ideals. In other words, although Marcus Aurelius is essentially associated with Roman Stoicism, he was influenced by Plato's teachings. By comparing the two philosophical approaches, it can be argued that Marcus Aurelius exhibited political attitudes and governance practices suitable for both a king and a philosopher. In this context, the first section of the study examines Plato's philosopher-king thesis and the conditions that led to its emergence; the second section explores the evolution of Stoicism; and the third section delves into the life, philosophy, and governance of Marcus Aurelius as a Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor. Methodologically, this study is a qualitative and descriptive work focused on theoretical and analytical political philosophy.