 From the 1594 edition, published by Jean Le Preux | |
| Author | Lucius Annaeus Seneca |
|---|---|
| Language | Latin |
| Subject | Roman religion,Ancient Greek religion,problem of evil |
| Genre | Theodicy,philosophy |
Publication date | ADc. 64 |
| Publication place | Ancient Rome |
De Providentia (On Providence) is a shortessay in the form of adialogue in six brief sections, written by theLatinphilosopherSeneca (died AD 65) in the last years of his life. He chose the dialogue form (as in the well-knownPlato's works) to deal with the problem of the co-existence of theStoic design ofprovidence with the evil in the world—the so-called "problem of evil."
The work cannot be precisely dated, but since it is addressed toLucilius, who is the addressee of some of Seneca's final works including hisLetters, and since the essay has similarities to letters 106, 108, and 109then the work is usually considered a late one dating to around 64 AD.[1]
The full title of the work isQuare bonis viris multa mala accidant, cum sit providentia ("Why do misfortunes happen to good men, if providence exists"). This longer title reflects the true theme of the essay which is not so much concerned withprovidence but withtheodicy and the question of why bad things happen to good people.[1]
The dialogue is opened byLucilius complaining with his friend Seneca that adversities and misfortunes can happen to good men too. How can this fit with the goodness connected with the design of providence? Seneca answers according to the Stoic point of view. Nothing actually bad can happen to the good man (the wise man) because opposites don't mix. What looks like adversity is in fact a means by which the man exerts his virtues. As such, he can come out of the ordeal stronger than before.
So, in perfect harmony with the Stoicphilosophy, Seneca explains that the truly wise man can never surrender in the face of misfortunes but as he will always go through them and even if he should fall he will continue fighting on his knees ("si cecidit de genu pugnat").The wise man understandsdestiny and its design, and therefore he has nothing to fear from the future. Neither does he hope for anything, because he already has everything he needs—his good behaviour.
The conclusion is that actually nothing bad happens to good men. One just has to understand whatbad means:bad for the wise man would be to have bad thoughts, to commit crimes, to desire money or fame. Whoever behaves wisely already has all the good possible.
Works related toOf Providence at Wikisource LatinWikisource has original text related to this article:De providentia| Philosophy |
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