Channel anger with the help of Greek philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Americans are struggling with anger. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anger as \u201can emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2025 report by the APA, 45% of Americans reported feeling angry or irritable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anger was an emotion that Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from 428 to 348 BCE, knew well and studied closely. He offered wisdom to those seeking answers on how to live a more peaceful life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Centuries later, his sage insights are still helping people today. He offered a simple, single sentence to those seeking guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plato\u2019s advice on anger<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Plato, \u201cThere are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plato did not shy away from discussing anger in his works on the human experience. He expanded on the Greek term thymos (also spelled thumos), describing it as an \u201cinternal psychological process of thought, emotion, volition, and motivation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plato saw anger as part of human \u201cspiritedness\u201d and \u201cpassion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an essay on Plato and anger, philosopher Gregory Sadler writes, \u201cAnger arises from a perception not only that some harm has been done, some inconvenience has been imposed, some wish, desire, or intention has been frustrated \u2014 but all the more from a sense that some wrong has been committed, that someone or something is unjust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than deeming anger morally right or wrong, Plato\u2019s stance is more focused on what humans do with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to deal with anger<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plato explained that there are two ways humans can view anger when it arises: through the lens of \u201cwhat they can help, and what they cannot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadler notes, \u201cFor Plato, the goal is not total inirascability, an inability to grow angry \u2014 nor is it a godlike self-mastery that would preclude any angry responses whatsoever. There are situations in which one ought to grow angry, and act out that anger \u2014 when morally this is the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The work comes in deciphering when to act on anger and when not to. In short: reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The APA notes that using logic is key to defusing anger:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLogic defeats anger, because anger, even when it\u2019s justified, can quickly become irrational. So use cold hard logic on yourself. Remind yourself that the world is \u2018not out to get you,\u2019 you\u2019re just experiencing some of the rough spots of daily life. Do this each time you feel anger getting the best of you, and it\u2019ll help you get a more balanced perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is part of what the APA calls \u201ccognitive restructuring,\u201d explaining that it is important to focus on rationality: \u201cFor instance, instead of telling yourself, \u2018oh, it\u2019s awful, it\u2019s terrible, everything\u2019s ruined,\u2019 tell yourself, \u2018it\u2019s frustrating, and it\u2019s understandable that I\u2019m upset about it, but it\u2019s not the end of the world and getting angry is not going to fix it anyhow.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The APA adds, \u201cAngry people tend to demand things: fairness, appreciation, agreement, willingness to do things their way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By turning these \u201cdemands\u201d into \u201cdesires,\u201d peace can be achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn other words, saying, \u2018I would like\u2019 something is healthier than saying, \u2018I demand\u2019 or \u2018I must have\u2019 something,\u201d the APA says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more support, check out the APA\u2019s resources on anger.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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