Seneca

Evaluate Seneca's theory of happiness.

Stoic theory of happiness happiness consists solely in virtue, since only virtue is under our control health, wealth, reputation, power, etc. are not truly ours, since they are not under our control to rely on them (health, wealth, etc.) for happiness is to forfeit our freedom and become slaves only our own reactions, judgements, and choices are truly ours so long as we choose and act according to nature (=reason=the moral law=God's will), we can be confident that we are leading the best and happiest lives possible since God arranges all for the best, whatever happens to us is for the best if we accept this, we will be at peace and happy even slaves can be happy

Is Seneca right that in seeking happiness, we should not follow the majority? (p. 240-241)

everyone naturally desires to be happy, but not everyone knows what will make them happy

Explain the connections Seneca draws among happiness, virtue, freedom, and following God.

freedom consists in obeying God true happiness is located in virtue

On p.242-244, Seneca offers at least six different definitions of happiness, all stating the same proposition in different words, he tells us. List these six definitions.

happiness is... 1. a life lived in agreement with its own nature 2. the mind looking down on the things of fortune, joyous in virtue 3. the mind's undefeated strength, well-versed in the ways of the world, calm in action, with much humanity and concern for those with whom it has contact 4. a human being to whom nothing is good or bad except a good or bad mind; who is a cultivator of the morally good, content with virtue; who is neither buoyed up nor broken by changes in fortune; who knows that there is no greater good that that which he can give to himself; to whom true pleasure will be scorning pleasures 5. a free, upright, fearless, and stable mind, placed beyond fear and beyond desire, to whom the only good is what is morally good, the only bad thing disgrace, and the rest are indifferent 6. feeling neither desire nor fear, owing to the gift of reason 7. contentment with present circumstances, no matter what they are

On pages 244-254, Seneca gives a series of arguments against the Epicurean definition of happiness as pleasure, defending instead the Stoic view of happiness as virtue. Try to identify as many distinct arguments here as you can.

pleasure CAN be separated from virtue; many things are pleasurable but not morally good, some things are virtuous but painful pleasure comes even to the most disgraceful life, but one cannot act disgracefully and be virtuous virtue is sublime, elevated, regal, and invincible pleasure is lowly, servile, weak, and transitory virtue is its own reward pleasure is not the reward or motive of virtue but an accessory virtue gives pleasure because it is good, not vice-versa virtue must govern pleasure, and it cannot do this if it follows it (for following is the act of one who obeys, ruling of one who commands) Epicurus' teaching that virtue and pleasure are inseparable will contribute to further corrupt the dissolute, who will reason that they must be virtuous because they lead pleasure-filled lives pleasure is harmful in excess, but there can be no excess in virtue

On p. 254-266, Seneca answers the charge that he does not practice what he preaches. Explain his answer.

rebuttal 1: - all the great philosophers have been accused of speaking in one way and living in another - all of them said not how they themselves were living but how they themselves ought to live too - "I speak about virtue, not about myself; and when I attack the vices, I attack my own vices especially" rebuttal 2: - to his critics "it suits you best that no one seems to be good, as if another's virtue is a rebuke to all your misdemeanors" - often the worst people are most vocal in attacking others for their moral failings rebuttal 3: - it is better to fall having dared great things than to remain complacent about one's own vices rebuttal 4: - wealth - **see next question**

On these pages, Seneca also lists the key feelings that are the emotional marks of happiness. What are these? (p.242-244)

the marks of happiness are: - cheerfulness - joy - freedom - peace of mind - friendliness

He also explains the proper attitude towards wealth and prosperity (p.258-264). Explain his thinking on this point.

the point is not to avoid wealth but to avoid being excessively attached to it also, one should prefer wealth (without loving it) because it gives greater scope for virtuous action virtue is the sole good, but wealth and health are "preferables" in the case of the wise person, wealth is in servitude; in the case of the fool, it is in command just as the virtuous person will be capable of completing a journey even on foot, but will prefer to climb aboard a carriage, so he will be capable of being poor, but will wish to be wealthy wealth is not a good (if it were, it would make people good), but wealth is to be acquired and is useful and brings great advantages to life "I prefer to use those virtues that must be exercised more calmly (liberality, temperance, gentleness) than those proved by blood and sweat (endurance, courage, persistence)"

Main Stoic Doctrines

the universe is a rationally ordered whole (cosmos); everything happens for the best of reasons God = Zeus = reason = animator of the whole universe "Pantheism" = God is coextensive with the whole universe, not above or outside it reason = divine spark within us all humans are equal in worth due to our capacity to choose cosmopolitanism ("citizen of the cosmos") moral goodness alone has intrinsic worth, it alone is under our control money, honor, power, health, friendship, family, etc. are "preferred indifferents" "preferred" meaning okay to pursue them if nothing prevents "indifferent" meaning they have no intrinsic worth, so wrong to be distressed by their absence or loss ideal of apatheia (freedom from the passions) philosophy as therapy, treatment for anxiety