Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"...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
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Emotions as Judgements Versus Irrational Forces Emotion as Cognitive and its Therapy
2. The Emotions as Value Judgements in Chrysippus
3. Seneca's Defence: Third Movements as Harmonizing Chrysippus and Zeno
4. Seneca's Defence: First Movements as Answering Posidonius
5. The Arts: First Movements and Controversies on Drama and Music. Aristotle, Philodemus, and the Stoics
6. Posidonius on the Irrational Forces in Emotion: Galen's Report
7. Posidonius: Judgements Insufficient for Emotion. Exhaustion and Lack of Imagination
8. Posidonius: Judgements Not Necessary for Emotion. Disowned Judgements, Animals, and Music
9. Aspasius and Other Objections to Chrysippus
10. What is Missing from the Judgemental Analysis? Brain Research and Limitations on Stoic Cognitive Therapy
11. Value of the Emotions, Cognitive Therapy, and the Role of Philosophy The Role of Analytic Philosophy in Stoic Cognitive Therapy
12. Stoic Indifference: A Barrier to Therapy?
13. The Case for and against Eradication of Emotion
14. The Traditions of Moderation and Eradication
15. How the Ancient Exercises Work
16. Exercises Concerned with Time and the Self
17. Physiology and the Non-Cognitive: Galen's Alternative Approach to Emotion
18. Sex, Love, and Marriage in Pagan Philosophy and the Use of Catharsis
19. Catharsis and the Classification of Therapies
20. Emotional Conflict and Structure of the Mind Emotional Conflict and the Divided Self
21. The Concept of Will
22. From Stoic Agitations to Christian Temptations First Movements as Bad Thoughts: Origen and his Legacy
23. From First Movements to the Seven Cardinal Sins: Evagrius
24. First Movements in Augustine: Adaptation and Misunderstanding
25. Christians on Moderation versus Eradication
26. Augustine on Lust and the Will
Bibliography of Secondary Sources Mentioned
Index of Ancient Thinkers
Index Locorum
Subject and Name Index