Introduction
Different civilizations and their thinkers had their own views on the subject of slavery, ranging from avid support to rigorous opposition. It can be productive to examine the subject from different angles in order to enhance the modern understanding of ancient thought, philosophy, and rhetoric.
Aristotle’s Opinion on Slavery
For Aristotle, some forms of slavery were natural to the human condition, responding to the differences in different people’s capabilities. Aristotle saw some people unfit to control their own life or contribute to society, viewing their slavery as a benefit to themselves and others.
Seneca’s Opinion on Slavery
Seneca adopted a comparatively humanitarian perspective on slavery. His is centered on the idea of people owning others as their property. In his eyes, the institution of slavery was vile, capable of subjecting people to many torments. He advocated for people treating their slaves as friends, and thought that any person could have had the misfortune of becoming a slave.
The Book of Exodus
According to the Book of Exodus, slavery was a natural part of society and a normal part of people’s lives, where some people lived as property. The Book of Exodus does not oppose slavery, instead treating it as a part of everyday life and seeking to regulate it. Some moral rules for treating slaves, however, are mentioned.
Compare and Contrast
Comparatively, the three sources have somewhat different outlooks on slavery as a concept. While Aristotle considers the existence of slavery to be a natural part of the world and a necessity, Seneca seems much more reluctant to view it as such. Similarly, the latter is the only one who considers slaves worthy of human kindness and respect, seeing them as people instead of items.
Certain rules and guidelines established by the book of exodus promote a more compassionate outlook on the subject of slavery. All of these sources are similar in treating the existence of slavery as a part of society that cannot change. Alternatively, they differ in how slaves are defined and how they should be treated.
Conclusion
Different people throughout the years had different views on slavery. Depending on their living conditions, philosophy, and ideas, their treatment of slaves changed. Aristotle exemplifies a naturalistic view on slave-owning, while Seneca and the book of exodus remain unable to properly challenge it.