I have been reading the Nature of the Gods by Cicero. It is a philosophical dialogue between three individuals who hold differing positions and follow different schools of philosophy. Velleius argues the Epicurean position, Balbus takes the Stoic position, and Cotta takes the position of academic skepticism. His role is to criticize the viewpoints of the other two. I have read through the first book, which covers the Epicurean position on divinity.

A first century AD bust of Cicero in the Capitoline Museums, Rome - Wikipedia Commons - Public domain

According to Epicurean position, we know Gods exist because most of humanity believes they do. The gods are made of a type of atoms which is so fine it somehow transmits the images of the Gods to our minds directly, and because of that most of humanity has an idea that they exist. That is why we can form pictures of them in our minds. Velleius argues that if all people naturally agree on an idea, that idea must be true. And since most of humanity agrees that Gods exist, that is good evidence that they do in fact exist. He argues that the Gods must be shaped in human form because that is the most beautiful shape in existence. He also argues that Gods possess virtue and virtue can’t exist without reason, and that only the human form is capable of reason. He argues that there must be an infinite number of Gods. He also argues that the Gods must be inactive. The Gods are blessed, and it is impossible for something to be blessed if they are plagued with hard work. So, the Gods are free from any duties and spend their time in relaxation and contemplation. They do not interfere in the world. The world was created through natural processes and did not need a creator. Because they do not interfere in human affairs, humans should not fear them.

Cotta had many criticisms for this philosophy. Not everyone believes in Gods, so the argument that Gods exist because people agree that they do is invalid. Cotta did not believe in atoms, but argues that if the Gods are composed of them they must not be immortal. He argues that humans believe their own shape is the most beautiful because animals are only attracted to their own kind – a wolf would find the form of another wolf to be the most beautiful. And furthermore, not all humans are beautiful! Painters and sculptors depict the Gods in human form because of convention, and not all nations see their Gods as human shaped. And if the Gods are human shaped that means that some Gods and Goddesses must be more beautiful than others, which must not be the case. Cotta argues that the Planets, Stars, and Sun demonstrate a form of intelligence and Gods might take their shape. Cotta ridicules the notion that the Gods have arms and legs and various organs but have no apparent use for them because they are inactive. He also points out that people have images in their minds of beings other than Gods, some of which never existed. He ridicules the idea that Gods who do not do anything can experience the range of pleasures that even humans can do. Gods composed of atoms must be mortal, and therefore cannot be blessed. Cotta concludes by arguing that Gods who do not interfere in the world and do not help humanity do not deserve to be revered by humans. Why sacrifice to beings who will do nothing in return?

The Gods did seem to have supported the Roman cause for as long as the Romans sacrificed to them. Livy contains many examples of signs and prodigies that had to be expiated, and when they were ignored, lead to disaster. The Gods can show their approval or disapproval through these signs. When the Romans started actively suppressing the old religion, their empire collapsed not long after. In my opinion, the Western Roman Empire fell because the Gods withdrew their support of the Roman state.

In my own life I have had a few experiences of praying to certain Gods or Goddesses, and getting exactly what I asked for. And my general luck has seemed to have improved since I started worshiping them. He did not prove that the Gods exist. Today monotheism is the predominant view of deity and I do not support that viewpoint. I do believe that most people have a sense that there is more to this world than meets the eye, but it has not been conclusively proven. But my own experience is highly suggestive, for me, that Gods exist and will help those who acknowledge them.

            

The rest of Cicero’s work discusses the Stoic position. It might be a while before my next blog post because we are getting towards the end of the semester, and I haven’t been reading the material as much as I would like. Until then.