Seneca: A Philosopher in Politics

The Stoic philosopher Seneca led a life full of contradictions: a millionaire and a politician, a man who preached the importance of mind over matter but begged for return from exile, and a philosopher compromised by his relationship with the emperor Nero, his pupil and his murderer. At least his end was heroic: ordered to commit suicide in 65 AD, he modeled his death on that of Socrates, discoursing calmly about philosophy with his friends as the blood drained out of his veins. In this course we'll read broadly in his writings and try to come up with some answers about this complex and fascinating figure and the philosophy of living for which he stood.