Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
11-19-2021
Publication Title
Proceedings of the Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy
Abstract
This paper presents Stoicism as, in broad historical terms, the point of origin in Western thought of an extreme form of rational essentialism that persists today in the debate over human bioenhancement. Advocates of “radical” enhancement (or transhumanists) would have us codify extreme rational essentialism through manipulation of genes and the brain to maximize rational ability and eliminate the capacity for emotions deemed unsalutary. They, like Stoics, see anger as especially dangerous. The ancient dispute between Stoics and Aristotle over the nature and permissibility of anger has contemporary analogues. I argue that, on the merits, this controversy should, finally, be put to rest in Aristotle’s favor. Beyond its philosophical assets, Aristotle’s perspective meshes well with “appraisal theory” of emotion in psychology and corresponding discoveries in neuroscience. What’s more, consideration of the ongoing struggle to achieve full racial equality in the United States supports the view that anger at this ongoing gap between λόγος and ἔργον is legitimate, and has a constructive role to play in furthering liberal democracy. As we are well positioned to retire the Stoics’ legacy regarding anger, all the more should we eschew transhumanists’ proposal to implement their position biologically, at which point debate over the nature and worth of anger would be permanently moot.
Keywords
Stoics, transhumanism, anger, Aristotle, liberal democracy
Volume
36
Issue
1
First Page
131
Last Page
158
DOI
10.1163/22134417-00361P13
ISSN
1059-986X
Rights
© Susan B. Levin, 2021
Recommended Citation
Levin, Susan B., "Anger and Our Humanity: Transhumanists Stoke the Flames of an Ancient Conflict" (2021). Philosophy: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/phi_facpubs/56
Comments
Archived as published.