Seneca and self-discipline

Realistic individuals are naturally suspicious of propositions that look too good to be true. No wonder. Experience proves to all that there is no free lunch, and that we should better watch out when someone promises anything resembling a free lunch.Seneca did not make unrealistic promises. In his writings, he deployed vast efforts to remain sound, credible and down-to-earth. If he failed to achieve total philosophical accuracy, it is because of insufficient knowledge, not because of bad intentions.Like Aristotle (384-322 BC) had done in his “Nicomachean Ethics,” Seneca concluded that our happiness greatly depends on our self-discipline. If we keep pushing in the right direction, chances are that we will achieve our goals.Nevertheless, when it comes to self-discipline, there are two key differences between Aristotle’s ideas and those of Seneca. I admit the difficulty of detecting those differences in the short-term, but in the long term, they carry a determinant weight.The first difference between Aristotle and Seneca revolves around the purpose of self-discipline. Why should we adopt the habits of constancy and consistency? What is the point of self- discipline in a world where many people have no qualms about their disorderly thoughts and actions?Aristotle viewed self-discipline as a means to an end, not as an end in itself. His “Eudemian Ethics” portray the pursuit of a better life as a long-term undertaking. We can improve, but it is going to take time and effort.Self-discipline, according to Aristotle, is an investment that should deliver benefits over time. If we pursue goals dictated by reason, self-discipline will draw us closer to those goals.In Aristotle’s works, “eudaimonia” or happiness remains the ultimate goal of human life. Self-discipline provides the bricks with which to build the house and the seeds we need to plant the garden.Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/seneca-and-self-discipline/