Abstract
Not defining emotion in his writings, Aristotle does not have a theory of emotion. However, his thorough discussions of the phenomenon of emotions in different contexts of his work are of consequence. From a methodological point of view, it is remarkable that he addresses emotions in various thematic contexts, analyzing emotions in ethics, rhetorics, poetics as well as psychology where he examines them from a scientific, physiological perspective. The article will primarily focus on the treatment of emotions in his ethics, discussing the question of whether emotions are something opposed to reason that must be controlled or avoided, or whether emotions are something essential and necessary for human action and life. The article argues that emotions play a crucial role in attaining eudaimonia - partly because eudaimonia is based on dealing with certain emotions appropriately. Acting correctly only clears the way for a virtuous life if it is accompanied by having appropriate emotions.
