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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Probably didn’t do this proper justice as I listened to this in audiobook form (which amounted to about an hour) while I did something else but as I don’t ever see myself sitting down to read this “properly” I don’t really mind. Seneca had lots of good things to say and frankly I don’t know anything about him or his peers but the whole thing was a bit vague and I didn’t feel that moved or motivated by his writings because I, personally, felt no urgency in his words. From what I understand he considers philosophy to be the only (??) thing worth pursuing in order to have “leisure” and not “busy idleness” which thought was silly. Obviously that is subjective but for me, the big statements and broad questions he makes you ask yourself weren’t enough to make me do anything more than nod along and think him astute (then again I know this is an essay and not a manifesto or call to action of any sort so maybe I’m wrong to expect or want that).
Honestly it was a pretty good way to spend an hour. Made me reflect on how I consider myself to be. Seneca asks some big questions and (in my opinion) provides only whisps of answers but I suppose that’s philosophy for you.
Honestly it was a pretty good way to spend an hour. Made me reflect on how I consider myself to be. Seneca asks some big questions and (in my opinion) provides only whisps of answers but I suppose that’s philosophy for you.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC - AD 65), also known as Seneca the Younger, was a Roman philosopher, statesman and dramatist. He was the leading intellectual in the mid-first century and was a trusted advisor to the Emperor Nero. Seneca's books are among the most important primary texts of Stoic philosophy. His literary style and ideas were renowned and influential in his time, and ever since. The reformer Calvin published a commentary on one of Seneca's works, while the Catholic philosopher, Erasmus, edited a volume of Seneca. In today's uncertain world, there is a resurgence of interest in Stoic philosophy and Seneca's body of work.
The Shortness of Life, a brief, accessible and carefully argued guide to a wise and full life is an essential classic.
Stoic philosophy is, above all, practical. It uses reason and the careful observation of human life to address the problems of daily life. It is also universal-the emperor Marcus Aurelius and the freed slave Epictetus were both prominent Stoic philosophers.
The Shortness of Life, a brief, accessible and carefully argued guide to a wise and full life is an essential classic.
Stoic philosophy is, above all, practical. It uses reason and the careful observation of human life to address the problems of daily life. It is also universal-the emperor Marcus Aurelius and the freed slave Epictetus were both prominent Stoic philosophers.
Eye opening essay about how we burn our hours away. If you generally avoid philosophical readings I recommend Seneca. He is what you would call "practical philosophy", so it's actually useful. Unlike most philosophical readings he offers the reader a new way to look at everyday life and how to not let oneself get caught up in the views and actions of the majority.
"Often a very old man has no other proof of his long life than his age."
"Often a very old man has no other proof of his long life than his age."