Caleb and Michael talk about Seneca’s 94th Letter to Lucilius. In it Seneca debates the place of rules in the philosophical life with the ancient Stoic Aristo.
It's a topic of theoretical and practical importance. How do you use rules, proverbs, and precepts well when they are such imperfect tools? What's the difference between rules and principles?
(02:39) The Debate Over Rules
(16:19) Aristo
(21:40) Memorizing Philosophy Does Not Work
(26:02) Rules Are Either Obvious Or Misunderstood
(31:02) Summarizing Aristo
(32:53) Seneca's Response
(45:20) The Point of Rules
(49:54) Are Rules Specific Enough?
(52:38) How To Use Rules
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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations.