Q&A: What do you think about the Stoic school?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
What do you think about the Stoic school?
Question
To Rabbi Michael Abraham, I wanted to ask you, as a secular person, what you think about Stoic philosophy and its values, and more specifically what you think about the philosopher Seneca, and what overlap or contrast there is between that and Judaism. In addition, could you try to convince me why it would be worthwhile for me to keep the commandments?
Answer
Hello. I’m not familiar with it and I’m not all that interested in ancient philosophies.
Regarding observance of the commandments, that is too long and complicated for a responsa question. In my book The First Existent there is a line of argument that leads there.
Discussion on Answer
Because he read their Wikipedia entry.
If you’re not interested in ancient philosophies, why do you have a YouTube video about Aristotle and Plato?