A Study On Seneca’s Theory Of Passion

The theory of the passions plays an important role in the Stoic ethics,especially in Seneca’s ethics,which relates to the highest objects of the Stoics,the realization of happiness,and to the practical actions they are taking in their daily lives.However,from the beginning of time,the Stoic theory of the passions has been controversial due to its radical claims.In view of this,this thesis attempts to begin with Seneca’s theory of the passions in order to clarify some issues with this theory,and make a certain defense from the perspective of passion for Stoic rationalism.This paper mainly consists of four parts.The first part investigates the stoic views on the soul and its components,that is,examining the Stoic school’s psychological monism by comparing Plato’s,Aristotle’s and Stoic’s views on the soul;then analyzes Seneca’s view of the soul and demonstrates that he,as well as the orthodox Stoics,is a psychological monist,which prepared the ground for Seneca’s claim to extirpate the passions in the following.The second part focuses on exploring a deeper meaning of passion,including its definition,categories,generation,and relationship to former passions,good feelings,etc.it firstly examines the Stoic definition of passion in general by analyzing basic concepts such as beliefs and impulses and their taxonomies.This part secondly distinguishes“pre-emotions” and “voluntary” responses,clarifying the connection between the two.Finally,the necessity and difficulty of eradicating the passions are analyzed from Seneca’s point of view.The third part turns to the therapeutic aspects of the passions.The first section examines the opposition between the Stoic “Theory of Freedom from the Passions” and Aristotle’s “Theory of the Moderate Passions”.In the light of Stoicism’s “Reevaluation”,we take “anger” as an example,and highlight Seneca’s “Theory of Freedom from the Passions” through his critique of Aristotle’s theory of the passions,to further confirm the rationalist tendencies of Seneca’s philosophy.Secondly,based on the discussion,we continue to discuss the basic principles and specific methods of Seneca’s philosophical treatment from three aspects:reevaluation,the specific therapeutic techniques of anger,and making passions out of passions,with On Anger as the core.After explaining the necessity and method of extirpating the passions,the fourth part delves into the issue of whether the complete extirpation of the passions will affect the embodiment of human nature and the achievement of virtue,which lead to what the Stoics consider to be the very nature of human beings-Reason.More specifically,firstly,the question of whether the passions are in contradiction with the cultivation of humanity is taken as a starting point to highlighting the Stoicism’s “humanity” through the discussion of the relationship between anger and mercy and sympathy.Secondly,the question of whether the passions are in contradiction with the cultivation of humanity is discussed.The question “Is passion good for a virtuous life?” examined the relationship between anger and justice in order to show that “Freedom from passion” and “virtue”are not factly in conflict.This section attempts to illustrate that the Stoic equation of“Reason” with “humanity” and “virtue” in fact reveals from the very beginning the way in which virtue is realized,which is,to live according to virtue is to live according to reason,i.e.to live a life without passion.and that living according to virtue is a way of life.It is to live according to reason,to live a life-without passion.