The collection of Seneca’s letters I read recently contained a passing reference to what was clearly asthma, a terrifying condition that often makes its sufferers feel like they are dying. It must have been even more terrifying before the age of inhalers. I was wondering how that condition contributed to his focus on the inevitability of death in his philosophical writing. It seems he wrote quite a bit more about his condition and its relevance to his thinking. Must read some Becker!
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