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July    29th

A   CURE    FOR THE SELF

“The    person  who has practiced   philosophy  as  a   cure    for the self    becomes great   of  soul,   filled

with    confidence, invincible—and  greater as  you draw    near.”

SENECA, MORAL   LETTERS,    111.2

hat is “a cure for the self”? Perhaps Seneca means that, through nature and nurture, we develop a
unique set of characteristics—some positive and some negative. When those negative
characteristics begin to have consequences in our lives, some of us turn to therapy, psychoanalysis, or the
help of a support group. The point? To cure certain selfish, destructive parts of ourselves.
But of all the avenues for curing our negative characteristics, philosophy has existed the longest and
helped the most people. It is concerned not just with mitigating the effects of a mental illness or a
neurosis, but it is designed to encourage human flourishing. It’s designed to help you live the Good Life.
Don’t you deserve to flourish? Wouldn’t you like to be great of soul, filled with confidence, and
invincible to external events? Wouldn’t you like to be like the proverbial onion, packed with layers of
greatness?
Then practice your philosophy.