Vittoriano
CYCLE: Reasons and Passions. From Classical Greece to Neuroscience.
SPEAKER: Francesca Piazza
DATE: Thursday 6 March, 6 pm
The Aristotelian theory of emotions (pathe) set out in Book II of the Rhetoric is generally considered the first systematic analysis of human emotions in Western philosophy. As well as being interesting from a historical perspective, this theory can be usefully incorporated into contemporary debate. In addition to the similarities of intent with current analyses, the fruitfulness of the Aristotelian perspective concerns what specifically characterises it. This specificity stems from the fact that the investigation into the nature of emotions is conducted by Aristotle within the framework of reflections on rhetoric, a point of view that has so far been underestimated due to the persistent anti-rhetorical prejudice. Against this prejudice, the thesis argued in this talk is that the rhetorical nature of the analysis of emotions not only does not invalidate its philosophical value but is its strength. Placed in the context of reflection on the persuasive power of speech, the Aristotelian theory of the emotions opens the way to a non-dualist and non-reductionist perspective of the emotional plane capable of bringing out the connection between body, language and sociality in the human animal.
