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: : : : : I have started a cl on spiritual autobiographies: those which include the subject/author's quest for meaning and, when that leads to a sense that there is a personal God, for relationship as well. : : It was noted that there are many more autobiographies from the 17th century on, as modern individualism developed. So the question arises: what is premodern individualism? To what extent are the Meditations "modern" in their materialism and tragic melancholy? To what extent are they different? : : I am working on the idea that individualism increases in popularity as a society breaks down. The communal idea is essentially optimistic: "together, look what we can accomplish!" The individualist is pessimistic: "there is no effective 'we.' The best I can do is be true to myself.' " If so, then there are more parallels between Aurelius' time and our own than their are contrasts. : : I will be reporting my findings to our cl (at Boston University) on Thursday, and would appreciate comments from those who know Aurelius better than I. : : Steve Harvester : So, it's kinda late, eh ? Well, the first modern : autobiography is St.Augustine's. Epictetus : and Marcus Aurelius are still within framework : of the ancient world-these are personal : reflections on impersonal "forces" , not : diaries of inner struggle, like St.Augustine, : Rousseau, Kierkegaard, Tolstoy.

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