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Seneca on personal fulfilment
In his Letters to Lucilius and essays, Seneca gave a detailed recipe for personal fulfilment. His insights can be applied still today. I am going to summarize them in the next paragraphs. When necessary, I am adapting Seneca’s ideas to our century. The search for personal fulfilment is a lifetime mission. It is not a…
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What Seneca got wrong about human nature
Instead of endless abstract discussions, I prefer philosophers to cut to the chase and give me an example of their theories. If the example is convincing, I may explore their theories further. On the other hand, if the example doesn’t make sense, I will no longer care what that philosopher claims to know. If a…
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Seneca’s insights on human nature
Virtue rewards, first and foremost, its practitioner. That was the reason for Aristotle to recommend virtues such as ambition and personal initiative. Seneca did not share the views of Aristotle on virtue because, for Seneca, achievement and success represent the exceptions in life, not the rule. In the 72nd Letter to Lucilius, Seneca explains his…
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Seneca’s views on human nature
A linear view of human nature constitutes the weakest point of Seneca as a philosopher. He regarded humans as rational, but with a tendency to do too much or too little. If we want to prevent anxiety and worry, he theorized, we should embrace moderation in all things. Seneca considered anxiety and worry to be…
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Risks in Seneca’s art of living
The writings of Seneca are so persuasive that readers can be tempted to put them into practice before having a clear idea of the consequences. If they follow Seneca’s advice to the letter, I fear that they could get themselves in trouble. Interpretation is a necessary step between the philosophical ideals presented by Seneca and…
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Inconsistencies in Seneca’s art of living
Despite the overall soundness of his ideas, Seneca incurred important inconsistencies. His wisdom or “art of living” needs rectifications to avoid potentially lethal risks. Let us point out those inconsistencies and see how to address them. Three centuries before Seneca, Cleanthes (330-230 BC) had enunciated a crucial tenet of Stoicism: “People who conform to the…
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Seneca and the art of living
In contrast to most Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, Seneca remained highly consistent between his writings and his own life. I am referring specifically to his life in Corsica, where he had been exiled by Emperor Nero (54-68 AD). Seneca’s wisdom or “art of living” has maintained its value through the centuries because it responds…
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The impact of Seneca’s wisdom
When people read the writings of Seneca and put them into practice, the consequences can be disappointing. If they were looking for easy solutions, they would soon discover that Stoicism is hard to implement and arduous to sustain. Am I exaggerating the difficulties of practising Stoicism in all areas of life? Not in the least.…
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Best of Seneca’s wisdom
Seneca wrote extensively about Stoicism and developed its principles in minute detail. In his essays and in the Letters to Lucilius, he illustrated those principles with a vast array of historical anecdotes. I am going to summarise Seneca’s wisdom in four insights that anyone can put into practice today. Feasibility is the main criterion employed…
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Critique of Seneca’s call for self-discipline
A friend of mine, who is practising martial arts, told me that his master is requiring students to iron their martial arts attire before going to class. I believe that there is a Korean word to designate the robe and pants that students must wear, but I will just call it “attire.” During the exercises…
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