Stoicism Collection


Book Description

This Stoicism Collection contains three of the most notable Stoic pieces, The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, and The Discourses of Epictetus. These three pieces are the foundations of Stoicism.




Letters on Ethics


Book Description

“An exceptionally accessible” new translation of “the lively and urgent writings of one of classical antiquity’s most important ethicists” (Choice). The Roman statesman and philosopher Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) recorded his moral philosophy and reflections on life as a highly original kind of correspondence. Letters on Ethics includes vivid descriptions of town and country life in Nero’s Italy, discussions of poetry and oratory, and philosophical training for Seneca’s friend Lucilius. This volume, the first complete English translation in nearly a century, makes the Letters more accessible than ever before. Written as much for a general audience as for Lucilius, these engaging letters offer advice on how to deal with everything from nosy neighbors to sickness, pain, and death. Seneca uses the informal format of the letter to present the central ideas of Stoicism, for centuries the most influential philosophical system in the Mediterranean world. His lively and at times humorous expositions have made the Letters his most popular work and an enduring classic. Including an introduction and explanatory notes by Margaret Graver and A. A. Long, this authoritative edition will captivate a new generation of readers.




The Seneca Effect


Book Description

The essence of this book can be found in a line written by the ancient Roman Stoic Philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca: "Fortune is of sluggish growth, but ruin is rapid". This sentence summarizes the features of the phenomenon that we call "collapse," which is typically sudden and often unexpected, like the proverbial "house of cards." But why are such collapses so common, and what generates them? Several books have been published on the subject, including the well known "Collapse" by Jared Diamond (2005), "The collapse of complex societies" by Joseph Tainter (1998) and "The Tipping Point," by Malcom Gladwell (2000). Why The Seneca Effect? This book is an ambitious attempt to pull these various strands together by describing collapse from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint. The reader will discover how collapse is a collective phenomenon that occurs in what we call today "complex systems," with a special emphasis on system dynamics and the concept of "feedback." From this foundation, Bardi applies the theory to real-world systems, from the mechanics of fracture and the collapse of large structures to financial collapses, famines and population collapses, the fall of entire civilzations, and the most dreadful collapse we can imagine: that of the planetary ecosystem generated by overexploitation and climate change. The final objective of the book is to describe a conclusion that the ancient stoic philosophers had already discovered long ago, but that modern system science has rediscovered today. If you want to avoid collapse you need to embrace change, not fight it. Neither a book about doom and gloom nor a cornucopianist's dream, The Seneca Effect goes to the heart of the challenges that we are facing today, helping us to manage our future rather than be managed by it.




Hardship & Happiness


Book Description

Essays from the Stoic philosopher instructing how to find happiness in a world full of adversity. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and advisor to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection helps restore Seneca—whose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emerson—to his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. Hardship and Happiness collects a range of essays intended to instruct, from consolations—works that offer comfort to someone who has suffered a personal loss—to pieces on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Expertly translated, the essays will be read and used by undergraduate philosophy students and experienced scholars alike. Praise for Hardship and Happiness “[The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca] brings together many preeminent anglophone scholars of Seneca as editors and translators and succeeds in its aim to reach a wider audience through readable, modern English translations. . . . The overall high quality of the translations and notes make this volume (and its respective series) highly desirable for scholars and libraries alike.” —Classical Journal “A significant improvement over what has been available in English of the previous century. . . . The translations presented here admirably achieve the aim set out by the series’ editors: ‘to be faithful to the Latin while reading idiomatically in English.’ . . . Hardship and Happiness is a handsome volume, beautifully conceived and executed.” —Review of Metaphysics “We owe a debt of gratitude to Chicago for this one-volume selection of essays from long ago, which still have the power to stimulate our minds today.” —Classics for All




Stoic Classics Collection


Book Description

Six classic works of Stoic philosophy Rediscover six enormously enduring, influential, and important works of stoic mindfulness and philosophy. The classic works from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca - works that even thousands of years after their original publication, continue to inspire readers to greater self-mastery and self-improvement. Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Aurelius' Meditations is one of the greatest works of Greek and philosophical literature. The Enchiridion or Handbook of Epictetus is a short manual, Enchiridion was well-known in the ancient world, and in the medieval period, it was specially adapted for use in Greek-speaking monasteries. The Stoic writings of the philosopher Seneca offer powerful insights into the art of living, the importance of reason and morality, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and timeless wisdom. Seneca's 4 most famous essays included in this volume - On a Happy Life, On the Shortness of Life, On Peace of Mind, and On Providence.




Dialogues and Letters


Book Description

A major writer and a leading figure in the public life of Rome, Seneca (c. 4BC-AD 65) ranks among the most eloquent and influential masters of Latin prose. This selection explores his thoughts on philosophy and the trials of life. In the Consolation to Helvia he strives to offer solace to his mother, following his exile in AD 41, while On the Shortness of Life and On Tranquillity of Mind are lucid and compelling explorations of Stoic thought. Witty and self-critical, the Letters - written to his young friend Lucilius - explore Seneca's struggle to acquire philosophical wisdom. A fascinating insight into one of the greatest minds of Ancient Rome, these works inspired writers and thinkers including Montaigne, Rousseau, and Bacon, and continue to intrigue and enlighten.




Dialogues and Essays


Book Description

Stoic philosopher and tutor to the young emperor Nero, Seneca wrote moral essays - exercises in practical philosophy - on how to live in a troubled world. Strikingly applicable today, his thoughts on happiness and other subjects are here combined in a clear, modern translation with an introduction on Seneca's life and philosophy.




Delphi Complete Works of Seneca the Younger (Illustrated)


Book Description

The leading Stoic philosopher of the Silver Age of Latin literature, as well as tutor to the infamous Nero, Seneca was also an accomplished dramatist, whose ground-breaking tragedies changed the course of theatre writing. The Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Latin texts. For the first time in publishing history, readers can enjoy the complete works of Seneca the Younger in a single volume, with beautiful illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Seneca's life and works * Features the complete extant works of Seneca, in both English translation and the original Latin * Concise introductions to the essays and other works * Includes translations previously appearing in Loeb Classical Library editions of Seneca’s works * Excellent formatting of the texts * Includes section numbers — ideal for students * Easily locate the sections, epistles or works you want to read with individual contents tables * Includes Seneca's rare body of essays NATURAL QUESTIONS, first time in digital print * Features a bonus biography - discover Seneca's ancient world * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The Tragedies THE MADNESS OF HERCULES THE TROJAN WOMEN THE PHOENICIAN WOMEN PHAEDRA THYESTES HERCULES ON OETA AGAMEMNON OEDIPUS MEDEA OCTAVIA The Epistles TO MARCIA, ON CONSOLATION TO MY MOTHER HELVIA, ON CONSOLATION TO POLYBIUS, ON CONSOLATION THE MORAL EPISTLES The Essays ON ANGER ON THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE THE PUMPKINIFICATION OF THE DIVINE CLAUDIUS ON THE FIRMNESS OF THE WISE PERSON ON CLEMENCY ON THE HAPPY LIFE ON LEISURE NATURAL QUESTIONS ON BENEFITS ON TRANQUILLITY OF MIND ON PROVIDENCE The Latin Texts LIST OF LATIN TEXTS The Biography INTRODUCTION TO SENECA by John W. Basore Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles




Anger, Mercy, Revenge


Book Description

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and adviser to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection restores Seneca—whose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emerson—to his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. Anger, Mercy, Revenge comprises three key writings: the moral essays On Anger and On Clemency—which were penned as advice for the then young emperor, Nero—and the Apocolocyntosis, a brilliant satire lampooning the end of the reign of Claudius. Friend and tutor, as well as philosopher, Seneca welcomed the age of Nero in tones alternately serious, poetic, and comic—making Anger, Mercy, Revenge a work just as complicated, astute, and ambitious as its author.