Philodemus, writing about therapies for anger, explains that the furious and the chronically angry can not advance in philosophy. A commitment to themselves, to their ataraxia, and to cognitive therapy is necessary live a pleasant life.
One of the treatments used by Philodemus and other philosophers was called “seeing before the eyes”. In this technique, the Epicurean guide confronts the patient with the consequences of chronic fury in the form of a vivid vision where the impact and effects of anger in relationships and the ability to enjoy life every day are presented clearly as if they were present here and now. This is done using a verbal exercise, s guided visualization for the patient. The practice requires that we attribute a gruesome identity to our anger, so that it is seen as an enemy of the soul.
The physical features of fury were used in descriptions of symptoms by Greek philosophers as part of the art of vilifying vice. The master showed the patient the loss of support from friends, the removal of family, the possible loss of jobs and opportunities because of angry behavior, etc. Thus, the angry person can internalize the harm caused by their condition and increase their commitment to imperturbability.
Other treatments include reasonings, which may be seen as a form of preventive medicine, and rational arguments for change. This type of cognitive therapy can be used in creative contexts, like a diary, a dramatization or a (written or oral) imaginary conversation.
The idea that we should protect our heads is both metaphorical but also physical. One of the remedies used in African religions is washing the head with cool water in the crown, nape and temples to calm us when we’re irate. This they do with prayers, but we can adapt it to a pleasant secular practice and turn it into an Epicurean remedy, since we recognize the physical symptoms of anger, including the heating of the face and head.
Self-sufficiency is also a preventive remedy for anger. Philodemus said the less we care about externalities, the less anger we have. Fury depends on our vulnerabilities and what we expose ourselves to.
Losing our heads because of anger has always produced great difficulties for many people, and there are fables and stories in all cultures that warn of its dangers. Therefore, we must always keep a cool head and cultivate ataraxia.
“Let us completely rid ourselves of our bad habits as if they were evil men who have done us long and grievous harm”. – Vatican Saying 46
(Adapted from the book “Tending the Epicurean Garden”, from the French translation of the Philodeman text (La colère) in the book “Les Epicuriens” and from Elizabeth Asmis’ commentary in her article “The Necessity of Anger in Philodemus’ On Anger” in the book “Epicurus and the Epicurean Tradition”).
Philodemus’ views on externalities sounds a bit like Puritanism to me: the fewer material possessions you have, the happier you become. The trouble is, you can become so consumed with living a simple life, it may cause your stress levels to increase. I think the Epicurean formula is a perfect compromise- aim for a simple life, but also enjoy life’s pleasures too ( I type this while drinking a bottle of Pinot Noir.)
The Epicurean remedy for anger is an interesting one. I have a friend, in whom every time she sees this particular man, she gets uncontrollably angry. So for her, this man has become the personification of her anger. Creating an alternative identity in which to focus her rage may have been a good treatment, but the geniuses at the Devon NHS had no such expertise.
The imagination conversation therapy is one of a particular interest to me. From a very young age, I’ve spent long periods of time talking to myself ( my Dad was the same.) I’ve found it helps me make sense of a complex world and people’s behaviour (I’ve always found the latter especially hard to understand.) Talking to myself helps me rationalise situations in which I feel like I’ve been aggrieved. So instead of rushing to blame the other person in question, talking to myself helps me see things from their perspective, lessening the probability of me holding a grudge. However, I understand the limitations of such therapy, specifically when dealing with people with mental health issues. With them, it may be difficult to rationalise things, so physical remedies like the African cool water treatment will probably be more effective.