32nd Annual Student Research Conference
Aristotle's Impact on Christian Emotions
Abigail G. Atwell
Dr. Stephen Pollard, Faculty Mentor
In my research, I will be exploring how Aristotle’s philosophy of emotion impacted Western Christian theology. I will look at Aristotle’s impact on Thomas Aquinas, Origen, and Anselm. In my paper, I will present Aristotle’s ideas about emotions- when they are useful, the things that cause them to arise, and the ways in which we revise our emotions due to cognition. In contrast to other philosophical schools of his time, in particular the Stoics, Aristotle saw emotions as a valuable tool for proper social upbringing that is subject to reason. In Christian theology, there is a call to emotions including rejoicing, compassion, repentance and lament over past sins. I will explain connections between Aristotle’s positive view of emotions and Western Christianity.
Keywords: Aristotle, Christianity, Emotion, Aquinas, Origen, Anselm, cognition, impact
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 110-3
Location: MC 211
Time: 9:00