The Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome were interested in the emotions. This book shows that they did not simply advocate a suppression of feeling, as stoicism implies in English, but examined these powerful psychological responses, seeking to understand what attitude toward them expresses the deepest respect for human potential.
The Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome were interested in the emotions. This book shows that they did not simply advocate a suppression of feeling, as stoicism implies in English, but examined these powerful psychological responses, seeking to understand what attitude toward them expresses the deepest respect for human potential.
On the surface, stoicism and emotion seem like contradictory terms. Yet the Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome were deeply interested in the emotions, which they understood as complex judgments about what we regard as valuable in our surroundings. Stoicism and Emotion shows that they did not simply advocate an across-the-board suppression of feeling, as stoicism implies in today’s English, but instead conducted a searching examination of these powerful psychological responses, seeking to understand what attitude toward them expresses the deepest respect for human potential.
In this elegant and clearly written work, Margaret Graver gives a compelling new interpretation of the Stoic position. Drawing on a vast range of ancient sources, she argues that the chief demand of Stoic ethics is not that we should suppress or deny our feelings, but that we should perfect the rational mind at the core of every human being. Like all our judgments, the Stoics believed, our affective responses can be either true or false and right or wrong, and we must assume responsibility for them. Without glossing over the difficulties, Graver also shows how the Stoics dealt with those questions that seem to present problems for their theory: the physiological basis of affective responses, the phenomenon of being carried away by one’s emotions, the occurrence of involuntary feelings and the disordered behaviors of mental illness. Ultimately revealing the deeper motivations of Stoic philosophy, Stoicism and Emotion uncovers the sources of its broad appeal in the ancient world and illuminates its surprising relevance to our own.
“"With clean and clear prose, Margaret Graver provides a truly wise reading of the Stoics on the emotions. Her book is destined to become the standard on appreciating the deep contribution the Stoics make to our understanding of the role of emotions in our lives. After reading this book, few will dare read the Stoics as proponents of a life devoid of all affect and attachment."-Nancy Sherman, Georgetown University”
"A lucidly written... compellingly argued, and carefully researched investigation which should remain an indispensable resource for study of the Stoics on emotions for years to come." - Bryn Mawr Classical Review"
Margaret R. Graver is professor of classics at Dartmouth College.
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