Philosophical Thought

Emotions and their Connection with Ethics; Avicenna's Viewpoint

Document Type : Original Research

Author

Z. Sarkarpour

Analytical Philosophy Research Center, IPM Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.58209/jpt.4.2.161
Abstract
Avicenna did not explicitly present a distinct theory titled "Theory of Emotions" in his works. However, based on scattered references, it appears that the core of emotions, in his view, is evaluation, divided into two categories: motivational and non-motivational. Another component that seems common in all instances of emotions is pleasure and pain, although there is also evidence against this claim. There are ambiguities in Avicenna's text regarding the relationship between emotions and the body, but most evidence favors the assumption of a non-essential relationship between emotions and the body. Concerning the relationship between emotions and ethics, the conceptual analysis of virtue as one of the pillars of ethical discourse indicates a necessary relationship between emotions and virtues, suggesting a connection between emotions and ethics.

Keywords

Avicenna
Emotions
Inclination
Evaluation
Virtue
Ethics
Subjects
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Philosophical Thought
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 14
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Pages 161-184

  • Receive Date 12 May 2024
  • Accept Date 17 August 2024
  • Publish Date 17 September 2024