The Barrow

I was reading more Seneca today (letter XVIII) and once again he was comparing these two schools of thought in a favorable light, even while calling Epicurus a “hedonist” and in the same paragraph going into detail about how he would routinely endure long periods of austerity in order to build discipline and enjoy things more as well as to prepare oneself for hardship in order to suffer less. This shared objective of suffering less (though the stoics would insist this is not the goal, but instead being able to endure suffering is; I would say this difference is semantic at best) made me realize that these two ways of thinking actually have a lot in common (though one could come to this conclusion seeing just how much Seneca quotes Epicurus...). Stoics also insist their teachings are the key to a happy life (and I would agree, frankly) but if one does not allow oneself to experience the joys in life (yes, even jubilant and excessive joys and pleasures) then what even is the point of this secure, stable spirit one is building? One may say “for others” but this could be taken one step further: for others to do what?

An interesting thought.