Divine providence and the problem of evil in Seneca

This study aims to address the problem of evil in the context of Seneca's thoughts. In this study, which was prepared by using content analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, Seneca's works De Providentia and Ad Luciluim Epistulae Morales were examined. According to the results obtained through content analysis, Seneca, as a pantheist philosopher, put forward many theodicies regarding the problem of evil, and it was concluded that the evil that exists in the universe and affects humans does not mean anything on its own. Seneca explained possible evils as either man's own will not acting in accordance with nature or God's desire to test humans and make them stronger beings, and thus actually doing good instead of evil. Like many philosophers, Seneca also tried to reconcile the existence of God with the evil in the universe. It is seen that the most critical concept that Seneca expressed in his approach to the problem of evil is "fate". According to him, man should be patient with fate and accept any situation that arises with pleasure. Thus, if one submits to divine destiny, difficulties can be overcome and one will realize that what is interpreted as evil is actually disguised as good.