Video Series - 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