Understanding Anger

These nine videos are the recordings of a set of monthly talks provided in what was intended to be a year-long series (cut short by our move from New York to Milwaukee), hosted by the historic Kingston Public Library.  Each of these popular talks includes some lecture and a good bit of discussion with the participants in the series, and the entire set focuses upon the topic of anger.

I’ve been researching the topic of anger for over a decade, and a good portion of that research – in fact some of the most enjoyable bits of it – have involved studying ancient and medieval theories and discussions of the emotion.  So, I decided to provide an entire series of talks for a general audience engaging with ancient and medieval philosophical, religious, and literary sources for understanding anger.

What you have here, available for free, for anyone who wants it, is in effect a short course examining nine classic perspectives on the emotion of anger.  There is about 17.5 hours of footage total.

Here are the videorecordings of the nine sessions, along with a selection of the handouts provided.

Session 1 – Anger in Greek Epic and Dramatic Poetry

• Understanding Anger Lecture 1 – The Wrath of Achilles and the Rage of Medea (1:28:50)
• Handout – The Wrath of Achilles (and Agamemnon, Ajax, and Odysseus)
• Handout – Anger in Euripides’ Medea

Session 2 – Anger in Biblical Literature

• Understanding Anger Lecture 2 – Why is Your Face Fallen? Anger in Jewish Scriptures (1:39:38)

Session 3 – Anger in Platonic Philosophy

• Understanding Anger Lecture 3 – “Don’t Get Mad Socrates”: Anger in Plato’s Dialogues (1:35:51)
• Handout – Platonic Dialogues in Which Anger is Referenced or Discussed
• Handout – Causes of Anger Discussed in Plato’s Dialogues
• Handout – The Virtues and Vices in Republic bk. 4

Session 4 – Anger in Aristotelian Philosophy

• Understanding Anger Lecture 4 – The First Scientific Examination: Aristotle on Anger (1:43:42)
• Handout – Aristotle’s Texts Treating Aspects of Anger
• Handout – The Rhetoric Analysis of the Nature and Causes of Anger 
• Handout – Anger, Emotion, and Practical Rationality

Session 5 – Anger in Stoic Philosophy

• Understanding Anger Lecture 5 – Emperors and Slaves Above the Passions: Stoic Philosophers on Anger (1:40:15)
• Handout – Stoics on Emotions
• Handout – Epictetus on Understanding Anger
• Handout – Epictetus on What Is In Our Power
• Handout – Seneca On Controlling Anger

Session 6 – Anger in Epicurean Philosophy and Literature

• Understanding Anger Lecture 6 – Empty Pleasures and Unnecessary Pains: Epicureans on Anger (1:47:46)
• Handout – Epicurus on Pleasures and Pains
• Handout – Epicurus on Happiness, Prudence, Justice, and Friendship

Session 7 – Anger in Middle Platonic Philosophy

• Understanding Anger Lecture 7 — Another Platonic View: Plutarch on Controlling Anger (1:38:50)
• Handout – Plutarch’s Middle Platonist Perspective on Anger

Session 8 – Anger in Early Christian Philosophy and Theology

• Understanding Anger Lecture 8 – Whoever Is Angry with His Brother: Early Christian Discussions (1:42:52)

Session 9 – Anger in Thomistic Philosophy and Theology

• Understanding Anger Lecture 9 – A Medieval Synthesis: Thomas Aquinas’ Analyses of Anger (2:13:54)
• Handout – Thomas Aquinas On Anger As An Emotional Response
• Handout – Thomas Aquinas on Anger, Virtue, and Vice