Assertiveness or Formation of Feelings?

Abstract

The ideology of ass ertiveness is in fashion today. According to this ideology, the uncritical self-expression is a “recipe” for man's mental well-being. This ideology, however, does not agree with natural experience and the tradition of European culture. The classical conception of man (by Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas) in which many is the subject of his own actions says that man can, and is obliged to, control his own feelings. Man is morally responsible for his formation. Passive submission to feelings degrade man as man and makes it that he does not actualize fully his personal potentialities.