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Die invloed van emosie op die verloop van die Griekse en Romeinse geskiedenis

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posted on 2024-11-18, 15:09 authored by Inaugural addresses
Inaugural lecture--Department of Classical Languages, Rand Afrikaans University, 30 September 1980@@By way of Introduction it is pointed out how the ancient Greeks and Romans experienced and explained emotion and some more recent views on emotion are presented. The works of the Greek historian Thucydides and the Roman historian Tacitus are examined, and the nature of the effect of emotion upon decisions and conduct, and therefore upon the course of history, is analysed. Emotions with the most farreaching influence mostly have a harmful and injurious effect. Such emotions include fear, anger, hatred, ambition, avarice, lust, enthusiasm, pride and distrust. Man is both a rational and an emotional being, and it is concluded that as soon as emotion gains supremacy over reason, the possibility is increased that the ensuing decision or action will have a negative and harmful effect. The history of Greece and Rome teaches us that if in our present situation in South Africa we were to act from fear of Blacks, or of sanctions, school boycotts, strikes or terrorism, making concessions which are rationally unjustifiable, it will have fatal results for all the inhabitants of our country. It teaches us that if for instance the elimination of the wage gap or large-scale consolidation of Homelands were to be brought about by a sense of guilt without the application of the rational norm, Le. the ability and the will of NonWhites to achieve a higher level of productivity, the effect will likewise be fatal. It teaches us that decisions inspired by rage and hatred will inevitably lead to confrontation on a larger scale. It teaches us that if ambition and avarice of leaders or of masses, regardless of colour, should gain supremacy over reason, the consequences will be chaotic and destructive, as experienced in many countries of the world. The history of Greece and Rome yet again underlines how important it is for all our inhabitants to maintain the delicate balance between emotion and reason in thought and in action.

History

Date of creation

2009-05-07

Date submitted to repository

1980-09-30

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University of Johannesburg

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Vital

Language Translation

The influence of emotion upon Greek and Roman history

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Special Collections

Collection/Group

Inaugural addresses

Sub collection

1005|RAU Inaugural Addresses

Type of material

Inaugural

Research purpose

Teaching lecture

Legacy Handle

10210/2482

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