As a staunch defender of the tradition of classical political philosophy,Plutarch engaged in intense ideological debates with the Epicureans in his intellectual context.Following the Platonic-Aristotelian tradition,Plutarch deeply criticized the Epicureans'view on human nature in the pre-political state(corresponding to the state of nature in modern political philosophy)and the contractual justice in political life.With a firm belief in both the idea of"man is by nature a political animal"and the existence of divine providence,he sought to establish divine justice as the standard and model for human justice.In Plutarch's vision,rulers(kings)are the images of god-creator on earth and the"living law"(i.e,nomos empsychos).They should,with the help of philosophers and their teachings,imitate god and his divine law and make reason the criterion of law,thereby laying the foundation for justice and virtue in human political life.
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