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Philosophy and erotics in Seneca's Epistulae Morales

Taoka, Yasuko
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179944055

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Greek and Latin.
This study reconsiders the relationship between a Roman Stoic, his pleasure, and his desire in the Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium (Letters to Lucilius) of Seneca. While the Stoic ethical project involves the extirpation of erotic feelings such as pleasure and desire, a version of erotics nevertheless remains. I examine the role of the pleasure and desire which is retained. I examine erotics in the following venues: textual space between author and reader; the medical metaphor; the realm of death; the concept of ratio. I conclude that an integral element of the formation of the Roman Stoic subject is the strategic deployment of pleasure in philosophy as well as a desire for the pleasure of philosophy. The work of philosophy is, as it turns out, truly the love (philos) of wisdom (sophia): this study traces this love affair between the philosopher and wisdom in Senecan ethics. But the desired love-object is never attained: the philosopher’s identity is bound up in the desire for wisdom. However, that the philosopher’s goal is unattainable does not make his quest futile: rather, the deferral of this ultimate pleasure ensures the continuation of the work of philosophy.
Erik Gunderson (Advisor)
129 p.
Literature, Classical

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Taoka, Y. (2007). Philosophy and erotics in Seneca's Epistulae Morales [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179944055

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Taoka, Yasuko. Philosophy and erotics in Seneca's Epistulae Morales. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179944055.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Taoka, Yasuko. "Philosophy and erotics in Seneca's Epistulae Morales." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179944055

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1179944055
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.