Such a doctrine is sharply excluded by the principles of his philosophy and his profoundly pessimistic view of human affairs.

Immediately after the passage which I have quoted he goes on to enlarge on the progress of vice.

"Are you surprised to be told that human knowledge has not yet completed its whole task?
Why, human wickedness has not yet fully developed." Yet, at least, it may be said, Seneca believed in a progress of knowledge and recognised its value.

Yes, but the value which he attributed to it did not lie in any advantages which it would bring to the general community of mankind.

He did not expect from it any improvement of the world.