Aristotle on Emotion - 2nd Edition by William W Fortenbaugh (Paperback)

About the Book

This text focusses on the central issue of how Aristotle conceived of emotional response. Among other matters, it considers laughter, emotion in relation to belief and appearance, the effect of emotion on judgement, and the involvement of pain and pleasure in emotional response.

Book Synopsis

When Aristotle on Emotion was first published it showed how discussion within Plato's Academy led to a better understanding of emotional response, and how that understanding influenced Aristotle's work in rhetoric, poetics, politics and ethics. The subject has been much discussed since then: there are numerous articles, anthologies and large portions of books on emotion and related topics. In a new epilogue to this second edition, W.W. Fortenbaugh takes account of points raised by other scholars and clarifies some of his earlier thoughts, focusing on the central issue: how Aristotle conceived of emotional response. Among other matters, he considers laughter, emotion in relation to belief and appearance, the effect of emotion on judgement, and the involvement of pain and pleasure in emotional response.

Review Quotes

"William Fortenbaugh's lucid analysis of the emotions in Aristotle was pathbreaking when it first appeared, and it remains without a doubt the best book on the subject." --David Konstan

"This pioneering book offered an extremely revealing analysis of Aristotle on emotion, on parts of the psyche, on women and slaves and on the virtues, all in under 100 pages, and it is still the best treatment of some of its subjects. This updated edition should be welcomed and widely read." --Richard Sorabji

About the Author

W.W. Fortenbaugh is Emeritus Professor of Classics at Rutgers University, USA. His publications include as author of two volumes on Theophrastus of Eresus: Sources for his Life, Writings, Thought & Influence, Commentary Volume 6a (2005) and Volume 8 (2010).