Stoicism And Emotion

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.

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.

An exploration of Stoicism’s central role in British and American writing of the Romantic period Stoic philosophers and Romantic writers might seem to have nothing in common: the ancient Stoics championed the elimination of emotion, and Romantic writers made a bold new case for expression, adopting “powerful feeling” as the bedrock of poetry. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion refutes this notion by demonstrating that Romantic-era writers devoted a surprising amount of attention to Stoicism and its dispassionate mandate. Jacob Risinger explores the subterranean but vital life of Stoic philosophy in British and American Romanticism, from William Wordsworth to Ralph Waldo Emerson. He shows that the Romantic era—the period most polemically invested in emotion as art’s mainspring—was also captivated by the Stoic idea that aesthetic and ethical judgment demanded the transcendence of emotion. Risinger argues that Stoicism was a central preoccupation in a world destabilized by the French Revolution. Creating a space for the skeptical evaluation of feeling and affect, Stoicism became the subject of poetic reflection, ethical inquiry, and political debate. Risinger examines Wordsworth’s affinity with William Godwin’s evolving philosophy, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s attempt to embed Stoic reflection within the lyric itself, Lord Byron’s depiction of Stoicism at the level of character, visions of a Stoic future in novels by Mary Shelley and Sarah Scott, and the Stoic foundations of Emerson’s arguments for self-reliance and social reform. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion illustrates how the austerity of ancient philosophy was not inimical to Romantic creativity, but vital to its realization.

Here, in plain language, is the definitive guide for taking control of your life and imbuing it with greater meaning and productivity. Constructive Living is an action-based way of looking at the world that combines good, old-fashioned straight talk and the celebrated Japanese psychotherapies Morita and Naikan. David Reynolds, the father of this brilliantly simple and effective therapy, shows us how to live thoughtfully and economically, to regard our actions as if they were divine rituals, and to perform them with the utmost care. He contends that contentment is achieved, not bestowed--attaining peace and satisfaction takes daily practice and learning. With user-friendly anecdotes, practical exercises, and a sense of humor, he refreshes the experienced student and takes the novice to the beginning, laying out the essence of Constructive Living.

From the team that brought you The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, a daily devotional of Stoic meditations—an instant Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller. Why have history's greatest minds—from George Washington to Frederick the Great to Ralph Waldo Emerson, along with today's top performers from Super Bowl-winning football coaches to CEOs and celebrities—embraced the wisdom of the ancient Stoics? Because they realize that the most valuable wisdom is timeless and that philosophy is for living a better life, not a classroom exercise. The Daily Stoic offers 366 days of Stoic insights and exercises, featuring all-new translations from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus, as well as lesser-known luminaries like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Musonius Rufus. Every day of the year you'll find one of their pithy, powerful quotations, as well as historical anecdotes, provocative commentary, and a helpful glossary of Greek terms. By following these teachings over the course of a year (and, indeed, for years to come) you'll find the serenity, self-knowledge, and resilience you need to live well.

Richard Sorabji presents a study of ancient Greek views of the emotions and their influence on subsequent theories and attitudes, pagan and Christian. It examines what emotion is and how one copes with emotions and establish peace of mind.

An exploration of Stoicism’s central role in British and American writing of the Romantic period Stoic philosophers and Romantic writers might seem to have nothing in common: the ancient Stoics championed the elimination of emotion, and Romantic writers made a bold new case for expression, adopting “powerful feeling” as the bedrock of poetry. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion refutes this notion by demonstrating that Romantic-era writers devoted a surprising amount of attention to Stoicism and its dispassionate mandate. Jacob Risinger explores the subterranean but vital life of Stoic philosophy in British and American Romanticism, from William Wordsworth to Ralph Waldo Emerson. He shows that the Romantic era—the period most polemically invested in emotion as art’s mainspring—was also captivated by the Stoic idea that aesthetic and ethical judgment demanded the transcendence of emotion. Risinger argues that Stoicism was a central preoccupation in a world destabilized by the French Revolution. Creating a space for the skeptical evaluation of feeling and affect, Stoicism became the subject of poetic reflection, ethical inquiry, and political debate. Risinger examines Wordsworth’s affinity with William Godwin’s evolving philosophy, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s attempt to embed Stoic reflection within the lyric itself, Lord Byron’s depiction of Stoicism at the level of character, visions of a Stoic future in novels by Mary Shelley and Sarah Scott, and the Stoic foundations of Emerson’s arguments for self-reliance and social reform. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion illustrates how the austerity of ancient philosophy was not inimical to Romantic creativity, but vital to its realization.

Today's culture teaches us the importance of mental toughness, emotional resilience, and overall grit. The ability to persevere in the midst of challenging circumstances can mean the difference between a person being successful in life and living a life full of pain and struggle. Regardless of how talented, intelligent, socially well-adjusted and capable someone is, he or she is powerless without having honed the ability to endure hardship and adversity. No one knows more about how to achieve these strengths than the Stoics of Ancient Greece and Rome. In fact, cognitive behavioral therapy - thought to be the most effective way to treat emotional and mental disorders - is based on the beliefs of Stoicism. Psychotherapy is above all a philosophical pursuit rooted in traditions both ancient and modern. It uses rational thought exercises to overcome emotionally overwhelming situations. The same logical thought processes used in cognitive behavioral therapy to treat debilitating mental conditions can be used to fortify your emotions on a day to day basis. Most people are held down by the passionate emotions that rule their lives, and they allow these emotions to dictate their behavior. When you rely on emotions such as anger, lust, and envy to hold the reins of your decision making, you create an endless cycle of insatiable desire which leads you down a path of dissatisfaction and emptiness. The truth is that the thing which is distressing you when you feel emotional or physical pain and discomfort is your perception of that pain rather than the external occurrence itself. By applying this truth to everyday life, you can free yourself from whatever cycle of pain you find yourself in at any point. Many people have adopted the preconception that Stoics are like robots devoid of emotion. The word "Stoic," which literally means a person who is capable of enduring hardship and pain without complaint or retaliation, seems to have a serious and suppressive connotation that is decidedly not fun. However, Stoicism means much more than just the ability to "grin and bear it." On the contrary, Stoics have found access to boundless joy which is largely unavailable to most of the population. The ways of Stoicism offer a freedom of spirit that opens the door to a life of peace and eternal happiness. If "eternal happiness" sounds familiar, that's because there are many religions which operate on the same core tenets of Stoicism. The practices of mindfulness and renouncing desire are seen in both Stoicism and Buddhism. The value of vigilance, discipline, and contemplation are all demonstrated by the teachings of Stoicism and are also found in the ancient teachings of Christianity. The advent of Buddhism occurred a couple of hundred years prior, and thousands of miles from the birthplace of Stoicism, but Christianity has strong roots in the philosophy. Many Stoic ideals are kept alive in the Christian teachings of our time. By learning the values of Stoicism and practicing them in your daily life, you can teach yourself to strengthen your emotional fortitude so that you can take on any challenge you may find yourself facing in life. Even great losses contain lessons within them. By practicing the virtues and coping methods of the Stoic philosophy, you will become skilled in seeing and benefiting from those lessons rather than allowing loss and adversity to consume you.