Abstract
The article deals with Seneca’s thoughts about the influence of public opinion on consciousness and behavior. Seneca used various terms for designation of public opinion. According to Seneca, public opinion obtrudes a false system of values upon a person. It infl uences consciousness and behavior by approving or condemning. The desire to earn the approval of public opinion and the fear of experiencing its condemnation cause dissembling, hypocrisy, anxiety, purchase of unnecessary things, injustice. Seneca thinks that the injustice are dangerous, because they provoke anger that is a harmful desire for revenge. The unthinking imitation of a behavior model that, according to public opinion, is correct, promotes depravity in the society. This Roman stoic opposes the common misconceptions with an aspiration for virtues as the purpose of life. He thinks that a man must ignore public opinion, follow reason and truth instead, live in accordance with nature, have a clear conscience, constantly fi ght his vices and rejoice in the virtues. Solitude and sciences help direct the spirit not to material welfare, but to the moral life. Seneca opposes the public opinion with the opinion of the men of virtue. In his view, their praise inspires a person to continue self-improvement. Their behavior is an example for imitation. Seneca not only attracted attention to the spread of conformism in the Roman society of the 1st century AD, but he attempted to comprehend its sources and offer the ways to counteract it from the standpoint of Stoicism.
Keywords
Ancient Rome, Stoicism, Seneca, public opinion.
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