Book contents
- Seneca
- Seneca
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Preface
- Texts, Translations, and Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Recreating the Stoic Past
- Part II Rival Traditions in Philosophy
- Chapter 4 Seneca and Epicurus
- Chapter 5 Refuting the Peripatetics
- Part III Models of Emotional Experience
- Part IV The Self within the Text
- Bibliography
- Passages Treated
- Index
Chapter 5 - Refuting the Peripatetics
Seneca and the School of Aristotle
from Part II - Rival Traditions in Philosophy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 March 2023
- Seneca
- Seneca
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Preface
- Texts, Translations, and Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Recreating the Stoic Past
- Part II Rival Traditions in Philosophy
- Chapter 4 Seneca and Epicurus
- Chapter 5 Refuting the Peripatetics
- Part III Models of Emotional Experience
- Part IV The Self within the Text
- Bibliography
- Passages Treated
- Index
Summary
In some key areas of ethics and psychology, Seneca is at pains to distinguish his views from those of the Peripatetic followers of Aristotle. While he probably does not know Aristotle’s works at first hand, Seneca shows some knowledge of the doctrines that were favored by most Peripatetics, gleaned from secondhand discussions in such writers as Posidonius and from at least one summary account that was similar in style to Stobaean Doxography “C,” attributed to Arius Didymus. Passing references throughout his works show a consistent effort to differentiate his Stoic positions from Peripatetic views, especially on the value of externals and on the emotions. Recognition of this fact aids with the interpretation of Epistulae morales 92, which responds point for point to a list of Peripatetic doctrines. In particular, the first paragraph of that letter should be read as accommodating the Peripatetic tripartition of soul to Seneca’s Stoic commitments rather than the other way around.
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- SenecaThe Literary Philosopher, pp. 109 - 132Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023