Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast

Watch our Stoicism & Anger Video

Sep 18, 2025
Donald J. Robertson, a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and Stoicism expert, dives deep into the nuances of anger. He defines anger through a Stoic lens as a desire for revenge, exploring its societal impact. Donald discusses Marcus Aurelius' techniques for managing anger and debates its potential benefits in social justice. The conversation also differentiates between emotional anger and strategic aggression, unraveling the evolutionary roots behind these feelings. He concludes with a practical tip on pausing to mitigate anger escalation.
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INSIGHT

Anger’s Wide Social Cost

  • Anger has enormous social impact, from personal harm to large-scale violence.
  • Donald Robertson highlights anger as pervasive yet relatively neglected compared to anxiety and depression.
INSIGHT

Stoic Definition Of Anger

  • Stoics defined anger as a desire for revenge and developed psychotherapy around it.
  • Ancient Stoic practice treated philosophy as therapy for the psyche, including anger.
INSIGHT

Anger Isn’t Just Built-Up Energy

  • Folk psychology treats anger as a hydraulic buildup that must be vented.
  • Cross-cultural research shows anger is experienced and valued differently across societies.
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