Scientists at Cambridge University have made the astonishing discovery that repressing your emotions might have something to be said for it. The ancients turned their analytical minds to that, and much else, long ago. In the 7th century bc the ancient Greeks invented natural philosophy, arguing about the physical world in rational terms, excluding gods. Socrates then got them wondering how best to lead one’s life: why not reason about its problems, including emotional ones?
For example, Plato (d. 348 bc) argued that emotions such as distress, fear, and anger, but most of all insatiable pleasure – ‘the greatest spur to evil’ – were destructive forces: reasoned reflection was required to control them. Epictetus (d. ad 135) urged us to ‘repress our desires wholly and completely’ and say to ourselves: ‘From now on, the material I must work on is my own mind, just as the carpenter does on wood and the cobbler on leather.’
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in