What was Horace’s concept of personal ethical cause and effect?”
Throughout the week thus far, we have read about a man named Horace. He was a stoic poet. Like Ovid and his works, he showed his opinions in a clear and concise manner. While writing was his main skill, his ideas were just as developed. Personal view within his writings was a big part. He explained those views so the reader knew what he was thinking about all subjects he discussed. Although at first glance, his writings can be tragic and sad, he was more sensible than meets the eye. Within his works, he discussed death. A common theme which he wrote about. the discussion of death being the only inevitable thing in life was something that became a regular topic
As stated previously, Horace’s view of death was in almost the entire book. By first looking at the works, you would think that we was obsessed with death itself. Obviously he had a fascination with the subject, although he was dark, he was not as dark as some may think. Within the first part of the readings, he discussed living life to the fullest. He talks about the fact that we don’t know what lies ahead in our lives. He talks about how things will happen that will be out of our control. He says after that to relax, and just be ready for those sorts of things to happen. He goes on to talk about living life to the fullest. He basically says to enjoy each day while you still can. He says to rejoice in the days. To find happiness in everything. While it may not say it directly, it is assumed that each day should be treated as your last, so enjoy it. This is not as dark as some may thought. He was thought to be obsessed with death, yet with this, he seems to be more towards spreading the message of enjoying life.
The next few parts of the book discuss life on earth. He talks about how humanity is obsessed with fame and fortune. He says that when you die, that fame an fortune will be gone instantly. He did not understand how people would waste their lives chasing it. He knew that when someone died, everything they owned, was instantly worth nothing, and they could no longer own it. This is true, especially in the world today. People do not understand that fact that while they are on earth, those things may hold value, when you die, they are nothing. Everything they own is nothing. That is a harsh reality for some. That is something a lot of people do not want to come to terms with. Leaving earth is leaving everything behind. Never getting those things back is a tough reality to some people. Lastly, Horace discussed people with the most power fall the hardest. This gets into his personal ethics of cause and effect. He said the more power and money someone has, the more problems they have. This is a direct cause and effect connection. While they have the most, their problems are enormous. This can be seen directly today. When a celebrity does something wrong, anybody who follows him or her will know in a matter of hours. This cause and effect can destroy reputations. If the allegations are true or not, everyone will know, and everyone will judge.
As can be seen through his writings, he was a darker man. He viewed lots of things in relationship with death. Some would say that he was obsessed with death. Others would say he was obsessed with living. What is clear are his personal views. He believed in cause and effect and personal ethics. He believed that the higher the power of the person, the greater the down fall in the end.
JBSchool 