Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, including the study of emotions. His exploration into the realm of emotions is most notably detailed in his work “Rhetoric,” where he outlines a list of emotions that play a pivotal role in human behavior and persuasion.
Aristotle’s investigation into emotions wasn’t just a mere cataloging but an endeavor to understand their causes and effects, especially in the context of rhetoric and communication.
His list includes a comprehensive range of emotions such as anger, calmness, friendship, enmity, fear, confidence, shame, shamelessness, kindness, unkindness, pity, indignation, envy, and emulation.
Aristotle delves into each emotion, describing its nature, the reasons behind it, and its opposite. For instance, he considers anger as a response to perceived slight or injustice, while calmness is its antithesis. This detailed examination was groundbreaking because it connected emotions with ethical and social behavior, suggesting that effective communication must consider the emotional state and perspective of the audience.
Aristotle’s work on emotions is foundational, emphasizing the complexity of human feelings and their impact on personal and social dynamics. His list is not merely a historical curiosity but continues to influence modern psychology, philosophy, and even the art of communication. By dissecting these emotions, Aristotle provided a framework for understanding human motivation and behavior, illustrating how emotions underpin the way we interact with the world and each other.
Here’s Aristotle’s list of emotions
Anger is usually rooted in some perceived wrong. You can be angry on your own behalf, or angry on behalf of those you care about. Anger is a natural reaction, but can develop into other worse emotions if not dealt with in a healthy way. Spite, hatred, and malice or a need for revenge are often born of anger, and can cause destructive behavior.
Mildness occurs generally as a healthy channeling of anger into a more productive emotion. If anger is yelling and throwing things, mildness is making a point in a moderate voice without letting the burst of anger affect ones overall happiness or state of mind – it’s controlled and directed in a productive manner.
Love is the wholehearted wish towards the well-being of another person, and the willingness to inconvenience oneself or sacrifice in order to secure their happiness. Love can be manifested in many different ways.
Enmity is different from anger in that it requires no cause; instead of a perceived affront, the trigger may be as simple as race, color or creed – and like anger, enmity can swiftly turn to malice, spite or hatred.
Fear is one of the strongest emotions; it is inextricably linked to the will to survive. However, allowed free rein, fear can effectively cripple any person – leaving them ineffectual and feeling trapped in a box of their own making. Conquering fear can lead to a much healthier psyche, and improve overall life as well.
Confidence is the reverse of fear – it is often accompanied by a mental picture of an individuals success, and is closely related to hope and even faith. A feeling of security can be born of self confidence , as if the state of being confident can literally push fears and their causes away.
Shame is one of the most important in the list of emotions – it reflects how we feel about evils in our lives (whether committed by us or perpetrated on us by others) and is closely linked to self-esteem, self confidence and self worth. We often fear that the things we are ashamed of will discredit us in the eyes of those around us.
Shamelessness describes the state of a person who seems uncaring about evil they may do or a total disregard of what other people may think of them. In the one case, you have a dangerous person not bound by moral code; in the other, a ‘free spirit’.
Benevolence is comprised of a feeling of obligation – the individual will perform acts of kindness, but without real feeling or connection to the recipients of their help. A benevolence is simply an act deemed kind, although the person acting may not feel kind.
Pity is a strong emotion, and is often mistakenly confused with love. One feels pity for those wrongly taken advantage of, or injured through no fault of their own. Pity often results in action taken to relieve pain.
Indignation is usually an affronted feeling – it is not as strong as anger, although it can blossom into anger. Indignation usually results from instances in which an individual feels they have been unfairly treated, taken advantage of, or lied to.
Envy is yet stronger than indignation, and can turn into enmity if not handled correctly. Envy is the feeling of irritation that someone else has something which you do not; even if you would not desire it in any other circumstance.
Contempt is the feeling one who perceives themselves as superior has towards ‘lesser’ people around him or her. They may view anyone with less intellect, good looks or possessions as beneath them.
Emulation is the final emotion. It is the opposite of contempt and envy, and encompasses the desire to improve oneself and gain that which others have already achieved.
The list of emotions may vary from philosopher to philosopher, but many believe that
seven of these emotions form the core of each personality.
The importance of Aristotle’s list of emotions
Aristotle’s list of emotions is a testament to his profound understanding of human nature and the complexities of the human condition. By meticulously categorizing and examining emotions, he not only laid the groundwork for future explorations in psychology and philosophy but also emphasized the integral role emotions play in communication, ethics, and social interactions.
His insights reveal the timeless truth that emotions are not just personal experiences but also powerful forces that shape human behavior, decision-making, and the fabric of society itself. Aristotle’s work invites us to reflect on our own emotional lives and the ways in which understanding and harnessing our emotions can lead to better communication, deeper relationships, and a more harmonious society.
In essence, his list of emotions serves as a bridge between the individual’s inner world and the outer world of social interaction, highlighting the universal relevance and importance of emotions in human life.