Preliminary communication

Elements of Universal Ethics in Paul and Stoic Philosopher L. A. Seneca

Mato Zovkić ; Catholic Theological Faculty in Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

In his introduction the author presents universal ethics in modern inter-religious and cultural dialogue as a commitment of individuals and groups with different beliefs to shared moral values. In subsequent parts he compares numerous texts of Seneca and Paul at three levels: 1. metaphor on human community as one body with common rights and duties; 2. human dignity of slaves who should be treated humanely by their masters; 3. the duty to treat others as we would like them to treat us (golden rule or principle of positive reciprocity). His analysis is based on quotations or summaries of Seneca's works De dementia, De beneficiis, De ira, Epistula 47,48,95. Among Paul's letters he quotes 1 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Romans and Ephesians. He also brings out some interesting guidelines on similarity and differences in Pauline and Stoic ethics from the 2008 Document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission The Bible and Morality.

Keywords

ethics; Seneca; Paul; stoics; rational human nature; shared values; community as one body; slaves; positive reciprocity; 2008 document The Bible and Morality of Pontifical Biblical Commission; inter-religious dialogue

Hrčak ID:

63023

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/63023

Publication date:

30.12.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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