CHAPTER 3 Medieval Conceptions of Emotions from Abelard to Aquinas

Abstract

The first part deals with the twelfth‐century reception and discussion of ancient themes in theology, logic and medical theory. Among the most significant theological contexts for treating emotions were the doctrine of first movements toward sin (Sect. 1) and the question of the nature of spiritual experiences (Sect. 2). Section 3 involves a general account of the early development of the logic of the will and its relations to the discussion of emotions. The medical theories of emotions and their impact on twelfth‐century philosophy and theology are discussed in Sect. 4. Section 5 contains an analysis of Avicenna's theory of emotions. Avicennian faculty psychology influenced early thirteenth‐century Latin discussions of the nature and taxonomy of emotions (Sect. 6). Section 7 deals with Albert the Great and Sect. 8 with Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas’ theory, which combines Avicennian and Aristotelian themes, is the most extensive medieval contribution to the subject.