Research

Summary

Seneca: Teachings Concerning Apolitical Morals

The article discusses the place of politics and statesmanship in Seneca’s moral philosophy as it is unfolded in his Ad Lucilium epistulae morales. For Seneca political office holds no intrinsic value. In principle, taking part in the affairs of state can be good and it can be evil. In actuality, however, the world of politics, for Seneca, is a dirty business. Political activities are fraught with so many ways to contract vice that everyone, who has chosen to pursue a life of virtue, should shun them as much as possible. Another reason why Seneca distances himself from active participation in the life of the state is his re-definition of what state, country, homeland really are. He turns away from a political order of human relations to a natural order of things. It is this all-encompassing world-order, driven by destiny, that becomes his true country and state.