Seneca Letters #85 – On Some Vain Syllogisms

Seneca’s “Letters from a Stoic” is a collection of letters written by the Stoic philosopher Seneca to his friend Lucilius, in which he expounds upon various aspects of Stoic philosophy and its practical applications in daily life. In letter 85, Seneca discusses the use of syllogisms, a logical argument consisting of three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. He warns against the misuse of syllogisms in the pursuit of vain or irrelevant goals, arguing that the true value of philosophy lies in its ability to help us live better lives.

The letter begins with Seneca admonishing Lucilius against using syllogisms to impress others or win arguments, stating that “there is no use in brilliant syllogisms that serve no purpose.” He goes on to describe various types of syllogisms that are commonly used in debate, such as “petitio principii” or “begging the question,” which assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premises.

Seneca then makes a distinction between “vain” and “useful” syllogisms. Vain syllogisms are those that are used for their own sake, without any practical application, while useful syllogisms are those that help us to understand the world and improve our lives. He argues that the true value of philosophy lies in its ability to provide us with a framework for living a good life, rather than in the cleverness of our arguments.

One of the most important quotes from this letter is: “Philosophy does not consist in syllogisms but in the application of principles to practical uses.” Seneca is emphasizing the importance of putting philosophy into practice, rather than simply using it as a tool for argumentation. He argues that philosophy should be used to guide our daily lives and help us make better decisions, rather than to win debates or impress others.

Seneca also cautions against becoming too enamored with the cleverness of our own arguments, stating that “we must not be too fond of the syllogism, either, and must not regard it as the whole of philosophy.” He argues that philosophy is a much broader discipline than mere logical argumentation, encompassing ethics, morality, and the pursuit of wisdom.

Overall, Seneca’s letter on syllogisms is a reminder that philosophy is not just an intellectual exercise, but a practical guide for living a better life. While logical argumentation can be useful in certain contexts, it should not be the sole focus of our philosophical pursuits. Instead, we should seek to apply the principles of Stoic philosophy to our daily lives, using them to guide our actions and improve our character.