attach and appropriate this animal to itself (ipsum sibi conciliari et
commendari). In this act of self-commendation, the animal preserves
itself and loves itself.^43 Cicero argues against Epicureans who teach
that the‘first commendation’(prima commendatio) concerns desire
(voluptas).^44 He affirms the Stoic position that infants attach to the
preservation of life before they start to feel desire; this proves for
Cicero that the infantsfirst love their own constitution (statum suum
diligerent) and only afterwards start to desire external things. There-
fore, self-love is thefirst appropriation of humans.^45
In other words, human beings (and higher animals)first commend
themselves to themselves in an act of self-preservation and self-love.
Cicero here follows the Stoic doctrine ofoikeiosis, that is, appropri-
ation or familiarization.^46 The doctrine ofoikeiosisis in some sense a
classical counterpart to modern child psychology. Some scholars even
regard it as the ancient theory of personal identity.^47 Through Cicero,
commendatiobecomes a Latin term that describes self-attachment, a
person’sfirst relational act of commending his or her constitution to
him- or herself in an act of self-preserving love. Cicero’s doctrine is
not identical with Augustine’s view of Trinitarian self-knowledge, but
we may note that both speak of primary love as the basis of this
appropriation. Like Augustine, Cicero continues to be read exten-
sively in the Latin West. His thoughts remain influential in early
modern Europe.
For Cicero, the act of commendation also attaches people to one
another. We love our children because we have conceived them, he
remarks. Cicero further considers that there is a natural commenda-
tion (commendatio naturalis) among all of us, because everyone
resembles others and does not feel a stranger among them. Animals
such as ants and bees seem to care for one another. Even more
strongly, humans are naturally able to live together and to build a
society. People can prefer the common good to their own personal
good. In this sense, the natural appropriation or commendation leads
towards social life.^48
The philosophical view of commendation teaches the basic self-
relationship and basic sociality of humans. Although this view
(^43) Definibus3, 16. Engberg-Pedersen 1990, 66–7. (^44) Definibus2, 35.
(^45) Definibus3, 16. Engberg-Pedersen 1990, 66–7.
(^46) Engberg-Pedersen 1990; Franz 2000; Horn 2009.
(^47) Forschner 2008, 169–70. (^48) Definibus3, 63–5.
60 Recognition and Religion