Seneca: On Anger

Question 1

Why is anger the most destructive emotion, according to Seneca? 🌳🔥

Answer 1

It spreads quickly and is difficult to control

Question 2

How does Seneca define Anger?
🔁💰

Answer 2

A need to repay suffering

Question 3

What are the terms for a negative/unhealthy passion and a positive/healthy passion?

Answer 3

negative/unhealthy passion - pathē
positive/healthy passion - eupatheiai

Question 4

What example does Seneca give to differentiate pathē and eupatheiai?

Answer 4

“I’ll avenge him because it is right - not because I’m grieved”
on a man who has watched his father killed.

Question 5

How does Seneca’s views on anger relate to love and relationships?

Answer 5

Seneca’s views on anger are linked to his view on (other passions and impulses such as) lust and desire

• Both are irrational and associated with those with an inability to control impulse

Question 6

Give 1️⃣ example Seneca uses of how lust and desire is as impulsive and irrational as anger 🗡️

Answer 6

“Lust… goes under a husbands sword with no regard for death”

Question 7

What is Seneca’s view on the interaction of vices and virtues?

Answer 7

“vices and virtues cannot combine”

Question 8

What are two ways ‘other vices’ effect us?
🤔🧶

Answer 8

“other vices effect our judgment…“ and “undo us one by one”