Seneca: Stoicism

Stoicism

Throughout his life, Seneca wrote a good number of letters and dialogues on what is known as Stoicism. Stoicism, a code of philosophic beliefs, encompasses three areas: Physics, Logic, and Ethics. One of the main beliefs of early Stoics was that natural impulses should be repressed; one should struggle to become independent from things such as lust, greed, and anxiety. To most stoics, virtue was beauty. As for death, it should be met with indifference and acceptance (Seneca later did this himself).

Seneca, however, had slightly different beliefs. Although he had the same basic views, the philosopher had a slightly less strict opinion on abstaining from pleasure. Instead of being free from "natural impulses" completely, he believed that the "rational emotions" were perfectly acceptable, and that it was only things such as death and hate which should not affect a man. In other words, he advocated emotional control and moderation (a good man was in control of his impulses, a bad man was plagued with disorder). When speaking of freedom, it was his view that fate has no impact on reaction, and that one should strive for freedom not by Roman law, but by nature (a wise man knew his place in the universe). Many of these themes are present in his letters, and even in his tragedies, which show the dangers of not following the Stoic dogmas and doctrines.

It shoulder perhaps be noted about Seneca that, during his life and after his death, he was often considered a hypocrite. Although he wrote a good deal about the evils of luxury and excess, he himself, during the height of his career, was living in a large country house and in possession of almost more wealth than the Emperor Nero himself. Indeed, even his political methods were not in sync with his philosophical beliefs. Because of this, he was often treated sneeringly in writing by such historians as Tacitus, and was criticized greatly by his contemporaries. Whether or not he was in fact a hypocrite, however, is debatable.

Ruth T., 03'