The Boogeyman in the Closet: A Cognitive-Behavioral Account of Epicurean Emotions

Abstract Vain emotions are, according to Epicurus, the source of our mental disturbance. The aim of this paper is to discuss and analyze this connection by clarifying the structure of vain emotions in Epicurean philosophy. In order to achieve this, I present, first, the major lines of interpretation regarding the structure of epicurean emotions. Second, I highlight potential problems for each one of these interpretations. Third, I conclude that the existing interpretations cannot capture the whole picture regarding the epicurean structure of emotions and thus I propose an alternative reading of the latter which surpasses the problems facing the existing interpretations.