L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits

L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits

by Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date: 21/11/2019

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In "L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits," the esteemed Stoic philosopher delves into the complex nature of generosity and the ethics surrounding the act of giving and receiving. Through a series of poignant essays, Seneca examines the multifaceted relationships that weave together benefactor and beneficiary, addressing both the moral imperatives and the pragmatic considerations that underpin acts of kindness. His stylistic approach is marked by clarity and rhetorical finesse, drawing from classical rhetoric while rising to the challenges of ethical discourse. The work finds its roots in Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes virtue and the importance of rationality in human interactions, thus situating it within a broader literary and philosophical tradition that grapples with human behavior and ethical living. Seneca, a central figure in the Stoic school, faced the trials of political life and personal adversity, including exile and the looming specter of mortality, which profoundly influenced his philosophical reflections. His writings are emblematic of the tensions between moral integrity and the demands of social existence. Through his thoughtful examinations, he grapples with the question of how to navigate these complexities, lending practical wisdom that transcends time. Readers interested in ethics, philosophy, or even interpersonal relationships will find a treasure trove of insights in Seneca's work. "On Benefits" offers a profound exploration of the moral dimensions of generosity, encouraging readers to reflect upon their own practices of giving and the societal implications of these actions. This text is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the delicate balance between selflessness and self-interest in their lives.

ISBN:
4057664651525
4057664651525
Category:
Ethics & moral philosophy
Format:
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date:
21-11-2019
Language:
English
Publisher:
GoodPress
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, statesman, philosopher, advocate and man of letters, was born at Cordoba in Spain around 4 BC. He rose to prominence in Rome, pursuing a career in the courts and political life, for which he had been trained, while also acquiring celebrity as an author of tragedies and essays.

Falling foul of successive emperors (Caligula in AD 39 and Claudius in AD 41), he spent eight years in exile, allegedly for an affair with Caligula's sister. Recalled in AD 49, he was made praetor and was appointed tutor to the boy who was to become, in AD 54, the emperor Nero. On Nero's succession, Seneca acted for some eight years as an unofficial chief minister.

The early part of this reign was remembered as a period of sound government, for which the main credit seems due to Seneca. His control over Nero declined as enemies turned the emperor against him with representations that his popularity made him a danger, or with accusations of immorality or excessive wealth. Retiring from public life he devoted his last three years to philosophy and writing, particularly the Letters to Lucilius.

In AD 65 following the discovery of a plot against the emperor, in which he was thought to be implicated, he and many others were compelled by Nero to commit suicide. His fame as an essayist and dramatist lasted until two or three centuries ago, when he passed into literary oblivion, from which the twentieth century has seen a considerable recovery.

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