SENECA ON ANGER
Seneca; On Anger
Seneca claims that anger is a senseless emotion which can only breed problems for the one who practices it, and should thus be avoided. Instead he offers us the philosophical approach of reasoning. Actions done and words said cannot be taken back, and should be reflected on before executed. An issue which arises is whether or not anger is justified in the presence of harm caused towards people close to you. Anger is an impulsive emotion which causes an individual to react out of reason; this ought to be seen as a weakness according to Seneca. “What is fine and honorable is to go forth in defense of parents, children, friends and fellow-citizens, under the guidance of duty itself, in the exercise of will, judgment and foresight – and not through some raving impulse (102)”. A good metaphor herein lies with comparing anger with drunkenness. Some may claim anger as useful “because it makes men keener to fight (103)”. Seneca very well points out that also drunk men are reckless, careless and keen to fight. In this way, anger can easily be seen as a thoughtless emotion which should be avoided at all cost. By being reasonable, Seneca argues, you give yourself time to reflect. To be able to pass a fair judgment (104), you must take your time considering the facts surrounding a given matter. By judging from a point of anger you are more likely to be unfair, because you will have overseen crucial facts in the heat of the moment. Anger will inevitably be based on stubbornness and refusal of being proved wrong, more than reason and a deliberate, well-thought-out argument.
Seneca claims that anger is a senseless emotion which can only breed problems for the one who practices it, and should thus be avoided. Instead he offers us the philosophical approach of reasoning. Actions done and words said cannot be taken back, and should be reflected on before executed. An issue which arises is whether or not anger is justified in the presence of harm caused towards people close to you. Anger is an impulsive emotion which causes an individual to react out of reason; this ought to be seen as a weakness according to Seneca. “What is fine and honorable is to go forth in defense of parents, children, friends and fellow-citizens, under the guidance of duty itself, in the exercise of will, judgment and foresight – and not through some raving impulse (102)”. A good metaphor herein lies with comparing anger with drunkenness. Some may claim anger as useful “because it makes men keener to fight (103)”. Seneca very well points out that also drunk men are reckless, careless and keen to fight. In this way, anger can easily be seen as a thoughtless emotion which should be avoided at all cost. By being reasonable, Seneca argues, you give yourself time to reflect. To be able to pass a fair judgment (104), you must take your time considering the facts surrounding a given matter. By judging from a point of anger you are more likely to be unfair, because you will have overseen crucial facts in the heat of the moment. Anger will inevitably be based on stubbornness and refusal of being proved wrong, more than reason and a deliberate, well-thought-out argument.