Reason - Stoic Terminology

     In Marcus Aurelius (and other Stoic authors in Greek), the word logos is of prime importance. Needleman and Piazza translate this word as "Reason," and explain, "While logos can mean reason, cause, discourse, or conversation, in the Meditations it often refers to the principle which orders all things in the COSMOS [q.v.], and will sometimes be translated with a capital 'R.' In the context of philosophical discourse, it is used to signify both the form and the content of what is being said. In an individual, reason is what INTELLIGENCE [q.v.] uses in order to make a right decision."