Solilokwium przed Augustynem. Przypadek Lucjusza Anneusza Seneki
Pre-Augustinian Soliloquy: The Case of Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, the author discusses the use of soliloquy, an internal dialogue that takes its origins in the Stoic spiritual meditation exercises, and examines its version in selected works of Seneca the Younger. It is argued that Seneca employs various modes of presenting subject’s dialogical attitude towards itself in order to provide the reader with the Stoic guidance, i.e. instructions for so-called ‘care of the self.’ Therefore, one may see Seneca as someone who employed the introspective turn and dialogical examination of self before Augustine’s "Soliloquies" and "Confessions". Also, the analysis of Seneca’s letters indicates the adequacy of soliloquy for pedagogical purposes as they do not expose a ready-made doctrine, but rather serve as a means of expressing constant exhortation. Soliloquies assume close relationship between Seneca and the reader, which consists in collective thinking.

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