The stoicism of Lucius Annaeus Seneca with special reference to ethics

Abstract

The thesis seeks to elucidate the ethical doctrines of Seneca, showing where possible the development of his thought from that of previous thinkers. The Introduction, Chapter I, treats of the nature of man, his relation to the universe, their physical unity, Providence and Law. Chapter II, based on the de Providentia, discusses Pate and the problem of evil, tracing the views of Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics. Chapter III treats of human nature and the emotions chiefly as exemplified by anger, and traces the development from Aristotle through the Parly and Middle Stoics to Seneca's three dialogues de Ira, where special study is made of (a) the origin and development of anger, (b) arguments against it, and (c) remedies for it. The subject of Chapter IV is virtus. First the Early and Middle Stoic views of (a) the nature of virtus, (b) the conditions of its existence, and (c) the several virtues, are discussed, and then Seneca's treatment in the Letters of (a) the nature of virtus, (b) elements in its development, (c) the nature of sapientia in relation to virtus and (d) subsidiary problems. Chapter V, based on the de Beneficiis, first traces the doctrine of 'officia' and discusses the Stoic and Epicurean views of friendship, and then comes to its main theme, the giving and receiving of benefits, gratitude and ingratitude. Chapter VI discusses the foundation, aim and conduct of life for the Sapiens and analyses the dialogues de Constantia Sapient is, including the doctrine of values and of the emotions, de Brevitate Vitae, de Vita Beata, including the doctrine of the summum bonum, de Tranquillitate Animi, de dementia, and de Otio. The concluding Chapter VII traces the problems of consolation and immortality through Plato, Aristotle, the Early and Middle Stoics and Epicurus, to Seneca's three Consolationes.