Emotion and Peace of Mind: From Stoic Agitation to Christian Temptation / Edition 2

by Richard Sorabji

Overview

Richard Sorabji presents a ground-breaking study of ancient Greek views of the emotions and their influence on subsequent theories and attitudes, Pagan and Christian. While the central focus of the book is the Stoics, Sorabji draws on a vast range of texts to give a rich historical survey of how Western thinking about this central aspect of human nature developed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199256600
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/30/2003
Series:	The Gifford Lectures
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	9.16(w) x 6.46(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Wolfson College, Oxford

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Emotions as Judgements Versus Irrational Forces2. The Emotions as Value Judgements in Chrysippus3. Seneca's Defence: Third Movements as Harmonizing Chrysippus and Zeno4. Seneca's Defence: First Movements as Answering Posidonius5. The Arts: First Movements and Controversies on Drama and Music. Aristotle, Philodemus, and the Stoics6. Posidonius on the Irrational Forces in Emotion: Galen's Report7. Posidonius: Judgements Insufficient for Emotion. Exhaustion and Lack of Imagination8. Posidonius: Judgements Not Necessary for Emotion. Disowned Judgements, Animals, and Music9. Aspasius and Other Objections to Chrysippus10. What is Missing from the Judgemental Analysis? Brain Research and Limitations on Stoic Cognitive Therapy11. Value of the Emotions, Cognitive Therapy, and the Role of Philosophy12. Stoic Indifference: A Barrier to Therapy? 13. The Case for and against Eradication of Emotion14. The Traditions of Moderation and Eradication15. How the Ancient Exercises Work16. Exercises Concerned with Time and the Self17. Physiology and the Non-Cognitive: Galen's Alternative Approach to Emotion18. Sex, Love, and Marriage in Pagan Philosophy and the Use of Catharsis19. Catharsis and the Classification of Therapies20. Emotional Conflict and Structure of the Mind21. The Concept of Will22. From Stoic Agitations to Christian Temptations23. From First Movements to the Seven Cardinal Sins: Evagrius24. First Movements in Augustine: Adaptation and Misunderstanding25. Christians on Moderation versus Eradication26. Augustine on Lust and the WillBibliography of Secondary Sources MentionedIndex of Ancient ThinkersIndex LocorumSubject and Name Index

Editorial Reviews

"...a truly remarkable history of the concept of 'will,' the most informative such history I have seen. Sorbji shows with exceptional clarity the complexity of the classical Greek vocabulary of 'willing,' and the consequences of Latin simplifications. Sorabji's book is an important contribution to the understanding of the history of the conceptualization of human emotions. It will be indispensable for future researchers in this area." —Journal of the History of Philosophy

"Sorabji's book is an insightful and compelling study of the emotions and their role in the psychology of human action and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone doing academic research on the analysis of the emotions in Hellenistic, late antique or early Christian philosophy."—Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Another brilliant, astounding production, exciting in the breadth of its coverage, terrifying in the scope of its learning.... Rich, provocative, varied, and entertaining"—Tad Brennan, Philosophical Books

From the Publisher