Editing Gaius Musonius Rufus (section)

==Philosophy==
[[File:Gaius Musonius Rufus.JPG|thumb|right|Papyrus fragment ''P.Harr.'' I 1, showing a section of Discourse 15 of Gaius Musonius Rufus. 3rd century.]]
His philosophy, which is in many respects identical with that of his pupil, [[Epictetus]], is marked by its strong practical tendency. The philosophy he would have everyone cultivate is not a mere matter of words, of instruction, or of the school; but one that everyone by their own reflection and practice may pursue for himself.<ref name ="ritter190">Heinrich Ritter, ''The History of Ancient Philosophy'', Alexander James William Morrison, tr. (London, 1846), vol. IV, p. 190.</ref> Still, he considers it becoming in a philosopher to wear the philosopher's robe, to allow the hair to grow, and to retire from general society.<ref name ="ritter190"/> At the same time he is convinced of the power of philosophy over the minds of people; by it he hopes to heal all the corruption of the human mind.<ref name ="ritter191">Ritter, p. 191.</ref> His philosophy consists entirely of the rules for the conduct of life; all knowledge ought to be serviceable to action.<ref name ="ritter191"/> He does not reject [[logic]]: he regards it as a proof of a weak mind to decline to examine the [[fallacy]] which perplexes it;<ref>Epictetus, ''Discourses'', i. 7</ref> yet at the same time he expresses his disgust at the multitude of dogmas which fed the vanity of the [[sophists]].<ref name ="ritter192">Ritter, p. 192.</ref> He gives only a little attention to the [[Stoic physics|physical doctrines]] of the Stoics; he asserts that the [[Roman gods|gods]] know all things without need of reasoning, since to them nothing can be obscure or unknown.<ref name ="ritter192"/> The human [[Soul (spirit)|soul]] he considers to be akin to the gods,<ref name ="ritter192"/> and agrees with other Stoics that the soul is material, which after being corrupted by bodily influence, may be again purified and cleansed.<ref name ="ritter193">Ritter, p. 193.</ref> He strongly asserts the liberty of the rational soul ({{langx|el|διάνοια}}).<ref name ="ritter193"/>

Musonius pays much more attention to [[ethics]] than logic or physics; for he holds that philosophy is nothing else than an investigation and practice of what is becoming and obligatory; and philosophy, he says, is merely the pursuit of a virtuous life. He requires that all people, both men and women, should cultivate philosophy as the only sure road to virtue.<ref name ="ritter193"/> He agrees that it is easy to follow one's own nature, and the only great impediment which he can find to a truly moral life is the prejudices with which the [[mind]] is filled from [[childhood]], and the evil habits confirmed by practices.<ref name ="ritter194">Ritter, p. 194.</ref> Thus he regards philosophy as the mental art of healing, and lays great stress on the practice of virtue, preferring practice to precept.<ref name ="ritter194"/> He distinguishes two kinds of practice: the exercise of the mind in reflection and the adoption of good rules in life, and the endurance of bodily pains which affect both the soul and the body.<ref name ="ritter195">Ritter, p. 195.</ref>

A life lived according to nature consists in social, friendly sentiments and temper, and in contentment with what will simply alleviate the primary needs of nature.<ref name ="ritter195"/> He combats all [[selfishness]], and regards [[marriage]] not merely as becoming and natural, but as the principle of the family and state, and the preservation of the whole [[Human|human race]].<ref name ="ritter195"/> He zealously protests against the [[infanticide|exposure of children]] as an unnatural custom, and at every opportunity recommends the practice of [[wikt:benevolence|benevolence]].<ref name ="ritter195"/> His precepts for the simple life are carefully detailed, and he gives precise regulations for [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]], the care of the body, [[clothing]], and even [[furniture]]. Thus he recommends that the hair should be allowed to grow long and not cut too close; and he honours the [[beard]] on the basis that the hair was provided by nature for covering the body.<ref name ="ritter195"/> He forbids meat, and prefers food which is furnished and offered by nature to that which requires the art of cooking.<ref name ="ritter195"/>

Musonius argued because men's and women's capacity to understand virtue is the same, both should be trained in philosophy.<ref>Diotima, [http://www.stoa.org/diotima/anthology/wlgr/wlgr-philosophers.shtml  ''Philosophers on the Role of Women''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427230706/http://www.stoa.org/diotima/anthology/wlgr/wlgr-philosophers.shtml |date=2014-04-27 }}</ref>