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Why are Plato’s Dialogues and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations classified as literature?

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Antique book open to the frontispiece of The Iliad of Homer, showing the title and an engraved portrait of a bearded man, with old books in the background. — literature *The Iliad*, an epic of the Trojan War attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is considered a foundational work of Western literature.

While many philosophical works are considered purely technical or scholarly, Plato’s Dialogues and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations are classified as literature because they transcend abstract intellectual rigor to achieve aesthetic and human resonance.12

Plato’s Dialogues

Plato’s works are regarded as great literature due to their mastery of form and style. Rather than presenting dry treatises, Plato utilized the dialogue format to create a dramatic, narrative experience. By employing humor, clearly drawn personalities, and beautiful prose, he transformed philosophical inquiry into an engaging interchange of ideas. This approach invites readers to participate imaginatively in the discussion, making the philosophical material feel vital and human.314

Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations

In contrast, the Meditations are classified as literature because they function as a deeply personal, human document. Although the work consists of fragmentary, sometimes eccentric reflections, readers respond to it as they would to a living author. Its status as literature is derived from its profound insight, cogency, and the raw, intimate way it captures the internal struggle of a human being facing duty and mortality.125

Ultimately, both works are considered literature because they possess an enduring aesthetic quality and a depth that allows them to connect with readers across generations.12