Just a moment...

“The essence of good is a certain kind of reasoned choice; just as the essence of evil is another kind. What about externals, then? They are only the raw material for our reasoned choice, which finds its own good or evil in working with them. How will it find the good? Not by marveling at the material! For if judgments about the material are straig

Seneca insists that there is a distinction to be made between “impulses” (motus), which are preconscious responses and do not require the assent of the mind, and real “passions” (affectus), which necessarily imply a particular set of beliefs. 40 If somebody pours a bucket of cold water on your head, you will shiver; if somebody says bad words, you

Resolutions against sin may arise: (1) From present extremity—not because sin is sinful, but because it is painful. This resolution will vanish. (2) From fear of future evil, an apprehension of death and hell: “I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him” (Rev 6:8).

Wisdom, “the science of what ought or ought not to be done.” •Courage, “the science of what ought or ought not be tolerated.” •Justice, “the science of what ought and ought not be distributed.” •Moderation, “the science of what ought or ought not to be chosen.”

Fatalism answers: Everything is in the hands of the gods. Teleological finalism says: It all has a hidden purpose and belongs to your growth. Heroism says: Integrate those shadows or slay them; put disaster behind you and get on with your life. In each of these replies, the accidental as category dissolves into the larger philosophy of fatalism, fi