Author: SORABJI, R.,
Title: Emotion and Peace of Mind. From Stoic Agitation to Christian Temptation. The Gifford Lectures.
Description: Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York, 2006. Reprint 1st ed.2000. XI,499p. Hard bound. First and last pages with light joint to upper edge. ?In this wide-ranging book Sorabji [S.] discusses the ancient philosophical debate on emotion in general an on how to handle emotions and bring about peace of mind. (?) S.?s main focus is on the Stoic theory of emotion and the therapeutical techniques connected with it, which he holds (p.1), acted as the prime catalyst of the debate. He also discusses the value of Stoic therapy and mental exercises for us here and now. (?) After a brief survey of the Pre-Socratics, Plato and Aristotle (ch.1) S. Turns to the Stoics in chs. 2-9) (?) The second part of the book takes its tarting point from the similarities between the Stoic theory and present-day ?cognitive therapy?. In this context S. discusses the ideas of moderation vs. Eradication of emotion as distinctive of the Platonist/Aristotelian and Stoic approaches respectively. (?) Part III is devoted to the phenomenon of mental conflict and to a lucid discussion of the concept of will (?). The last part of the book is concerned with Christian authors such as Origen, the desert father Evagrius of Pontus (?) as well as Augustine. Via Christian views on eradications vs. Moderation S. ends with Augustine?s notorious ideas on sexual lust - a chapter that links up with the earlier discussion to the concept of the will insofar as Augustine sets lust apart as the only emotion uncontrolled by the will and hence to be eradicated. Clearly the scope of this book is breathtaking. (?) The arrangement of subject-matter is hybrid, switching back and forth between the prosopographic and the thematic. In consequence, the text bristles with cross-references to points postponed or previously touched upon. (?) A ?Leitmotiv? is however provided by those chapters which trace the history of the idea of ?first movements? as first developed by the Stoics and borrowed by later Christian theologians and moralists. Here S. has an interesting story to tell.? (TEUN TIELEMAN in Gnomon, 2003, pp.679-683).

Keywords: 9780198250050