Comments on: A different way: Seneca: The Life of a Stoic http://www.andreskabel.com/blog/2009/07/08/a-different-way-seneca-the-life-of-a-stoic/ Hope Is a Book, The Future Is a Song Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:16:02 +0000 hourly 1 By: Andres Kabel http://www.andreskabel.com/blog/2009/07/08/a-different-way-seneca-the-life-of-a-stoic/comment-page-1/#comment-368 Andres Kabel Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:58:37 +0000 http://www.andreskabel.com/blog/?p=554#comment-368 It wasn't that I didn't like the <i>Letters</i>; they were, as you so aptly put it, epistles of 'intimate, clear-minded philosophy.' I enjoyed reading them but bailed out about a third of the way through, having a reaction akin to a son rebelling against the constant advice of a father (or mother!). What I hoped Veyne would do is establish a conceptual framework to help me analyze what each letter might mean for me. I think what I will do is try the <i>Letters</i>, much slower this time. There is definitely something about Stoicism that appeals to my personal brand of existentialism. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the Letters; they were, as you so aptly put it, epistles of ‘intimate, clear-minded philosophy.’ I enjoyed reading them but bailed out about a third of the way through, having a reaction akin to a son rebelling against the constant advice of a father (or mother!). What I hoped Veyne would do is establish a conceptual framework to help me analyze what each letter might mean for me. I think what I will do is try the Letters, much slower this time. There is definitely something about Stoicism that appeals to my personal brand of existentialism.

]]> By: Damon Young http://www.andreskabel.com/blog/2009/07/08/a-different-way-seneca-the-life-of-a-stoic/comment-page-1/#comment-366 Damon Young Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:23:52 +0000 http://www.andreskabel.com/blog/?p=554#comment-366 It's a fine introduction to Seneca's life and times, but it's nothing like Spurling's masterful achievement - you're right. I'm surprised you didn't like the letters, though. I found them a very intimate, clear-minded philosophy. High-minded, but practical. It’s a fine introduction to Seneca’s life and times, but it’s nothing like Spurling’s masterful achievement – you’re right.

I’m surprised you didn’t like the letters, though. I found them a very intimate, clear-minded philosophy. High-minded, but practical.

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