Wild Emotions in Antiquity

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

We often get angry, scared, upset, and jealous. Should we? Do these emotions help or harm us? What role should they play in politics? Can we control our emotions and, if so, how? This course will explore ancient Greek and Roman views of emotions, particularly 'wild' emotions such as rage, shame, and love. Through this lens we will consider ancient debates about human psychology, ethics, and politics, and their ongoing relevance. We will also consider the role of art in educating emotions, engaging with literature beyond philosophy. Thinkers may include Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and more recent philosophers for comparison.