When science-fiction meets the ancient Romans

I've been listening for a while to some audio books - is more effective than reading, because you can also listen when you are walking, not only in the subway. And as I do a lot of walking, I am doing a lot of "audio reading". Today I came across this self-help book by Dan Millman, called Everyday enlightenment. Basically, is a collection of wise quotes used to illustrate the personal experience of the author. You get quotes from everyone, from JFK to Mother Theresa. What made me write this post was an interesting association of names: the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca and the XX century SF writer Ursula K. Le Guin. Seneca committed ritual suicide and is best know as a representative of Stoic philosophy. By mastering passions and emotions, Stoics believe it is possible to overcome the discord of the outside world and find peace within oneself. Le Guin is the author of "Left hand of darkness". Both authors, even though separated by centuries, can be considered among my favourites. The discussion about what a traitor is, from the "Left hand" would probably give a headache to Seneca ;-) However, considering the age, the other idea developed in the book, of androgyny, biologically hermaphroditic humans, would probably give new meaning to the stoicism. The idea of what remained basic to human nature when biological gender is no longer a factor is a challenging one and could "solve" some of the passions and emotions Stoics had to prevail over.

Anyway, how do this relate to the book I'm "audio reading"? Well, the thing is, most of the people this book is target of, have no idea that the famous guy who's quoted actually killed himself without blinking and is considered because of that as a great example of stoicism. Fortunately, Le Guin's book is "right on the money" with Millman, as her book is about human relationships and everything else is subordinate to the development of a profound and meaningful relationship between two human beings. However, the debate "is gender necessary?", might raise an eyebrow or two among Millman's auditorium, in the unlikely case they would ever considering reading the people quoted on the tape.