Catharine Edwards on Seneca and facing death.
Only humans know they will die. Catharine Edwards on the Stoic philosopher Seneca
A History of Ideas · BBC Radio 4
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Show Notes
Catharine Edwards wants to introduce you to the Roman Philosopher Seneca. But he's dying. Towards the end of his life Seneca became interested in the idea that only human beings had foreknowledge of their own death. Animals didn't know and Gods didn't die. This singular piece of knowledge gives human life its meaning as well as its burden. Seneca argued that to liberate yourself from the fear of death was a vital part of life. But did his own famous death live up to his beliefs?