The Passions according to the Classical Stoics

Slightly Modified: September 2003

Unless otherwise indicated, the English definitions are those of the translation of Cicero's Tusculan Disputations by J. E. King. The Latin terms are those found in Cicero.

Not all the psychological conditions we now call emotions or feelings will be found in the classes of passion below. You will not find the good feelings of the sage there: wish, caution, and joy. You will not find the preliminary impressions or pre-emotions (propatheia) to which even the wise person is subject. You will not find eros (sometimes translated as "sexual love," but in the wise person it does not include a desire for intercourse). Nor will you find physical pleasure or physical pain. These two phenomena are not passions according to the Stoa; they are indifferent values; the former is in accord with nature and the latter is contrary to nature.

The Passions

The passions or disorders are agitations of the soul contrary to reason and to nature. (Cicero, Tusculan Disputations iv 11; Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Philosophers vii 10).

Greek: pathê; Latin: perturbationes.

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The four principal genera of passions are (I) lust, (II) fear, (III) delight, (IV) distress

Return to Contents. Lust

I. Lust (desire) -- disorder related to an apparent future good; def. a belief of prospective good and the subject of this thinks it advantageous to possess it at once upon the spot.

Greek: epithumia; Latin: libido.

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Varieties of Lust

VARIETY OF LUST DEFINITION GREEK LATIN Anger lust of punishing the person thought to have inflicted an undeserved injury orgê ira Rage (a type of anger) anger springing up and suddenly showing itself [21] thumosis excandescentia Hate (a type of anger) inveterate anger [21] mênis odium Enmity (a type of anger) anger watching [for] an opportunity for revenge [21] misos inimicitia Wrath (a type of anger) anger of greater bitterness conceived in innermost heart and soul [21] - discordia Greed insatiable lust [21] for money, distinctions, etc. [22] spanis indigentia Longing lust for beholding someone who is not present [21] himeros desiderium

Fear

Greek: phobos; Latin: metus.

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Varieties of Fear

VARIETY OF FEAR DEFINITION GREEK LATIN Sluggishness Sluggishness -- fear of ensuing toil [19] oknos pigritia Shame Shame -- fear of disgrace [p. 347n2] aischunê pudor Fright Fright -- paralyzing fear which causes paleness, trembling and chattering of teeth [19] ekplêxis terror Timidity fear of approaching evil [19] deima timor Consternation fear upsetting the mental balance - pavor Pusillanimity fear following upon the heels of fright [19] agonia exanimatio Confusion fear paralyzing thought [19] - conturbatio Faintheartedness lasting fear [19] - formido

Delight

III. Delight (pleasure as a pathos) -- disorder arising from presence of [an apparent] good; exuberant transport at having secured some coveted object [12]; def. newly formed belief of present good, and the subject things it right to feel enraptured [14].

Greek: hêdonê; Latin: laetitia.

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Varieties of Delight

VARIETY OF DELIGHT DEFINITION GREEK LATIN Malice delight derived from another's evil, which brings no advantage to oneself [20] epikairekakia malevolentia Rapture delight soothing the soul by charm of the sense of hearing (There are similar delights related to the other four sense-faculties) [20] kêlêsis delectatio Ostentation delight shown in outward demeanor and puffing oneself out extravagantly [20-21] - iactatio

Distress

IV. Distress (pain as a pathos) -- disorder originating in distress at present evil [11-12]; def. a newly formed belief of present evil, the subject of which thinks it right to feel depression and shrinking of soul.

Greek: lupê. Latin: aegritudo.

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Varieties of Distress