On Passion

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In 1982, under the synth-pop subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM), a New York-based female vocal trio called The Flirts released their debut studio album 10¢ a Dance. On the anthology was a track entitled “Passion.” Lyrics from the song include:

This dream of love is restless

It really is so strong

I want to give you all my love before it’s too far gone

Our love is like a lion

It’s hungry for its prey

Come on and show your lovin’

I really can’t wait

I was a child when that track was released, and knew little (if anything) about passion. Then, in adulthood, EDM DJ Steve Murano produced a remix to the song by The Flirts, also entitled “Passion”, and with sampled its lyrics. Even then, I had a vague understanding about passion.

Colloquially, passion is defined as: (1) the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces, (2) the emotions as distinguished from reason, (3) intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction, and (4) a strong desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.

Given these varying descriptions of the term, do you now have a clear understanding about what passion means? I think I do, while I also value other input. Perhaps turning to the American Psychological Association (APA) for clarity may be of use, as it defines passion thusly:

1. an intense, driving, or overwhelming feeling or conviction. Passion is often contrasted with emotion, in that passion affects a person unwillingly.

2. intense sexual desire.

3. a strong enthusiasm for or devotion to an activity, object, concept, or the like.

It would appear as though the APA description is virtually indistinguishable from the variable forms of passion which are used in common parlance. Possibly Wikipedia may provide improved understanding about this term. Addressing “passion” as an emotion, Wikipedia states:

Passion (Greek πάσχω “to suffer, to be acted on” and Late Latin (chiefly Christian) passio “passion; suffering”) denotes strong and intractable or barely controllable emotion or inclination with respect to a particular person or thing.

Passion can range from eager interest in, or admiration for, an idea, proposal, or cause; to enthusiastic enjoyment of an interest or activity; to strong attraction, excitement, or emotion towards a person.

It is particularly used in the context of romance or sexual desire, though it generally implies a deeper or more encompassing emotion than that implied by the term lust, often incorporating ideas of ecstasy and/or suffering.

This explanation of the term is somewhat more helpful, in that it appears to describe a form of illogical and unreasonable state of being when one self-disturbs with irrational beliefs about intimate partner relationships. Addressing “passions” in the plural form, Wikipedia states:

In philosophy and religion, the passions are understood to be the emotions, instincts and desires that drive a human being (including lust, anger, aggression, jealousy, etc.). Different philosophical traditions hold different views about the passions.

The philosophical notion of passion, in contrast, is generally identified with instinctually driven emotional states, in many ancient philosophies and religious doctrines, the passions are the basis for deadly sins and seen as leading to various social and spiritual ills. In Western philosophical traditions, the passions are often placed in opposition to reason.

Given this outlook, one may better comprehend how the passions are conceptualized as something akin to momentary insanity (a severely disordered state of the mind highlighted by extreme folly or unreasonableness). In this regard, further context is needed.

When providing psychoeducational lessons to clients on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason). Perhaps it may be useful to define the terms which comprise this form of cognition.

“Logic” is a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration. It also addresses the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable.

“Reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. In simple terms, it’s the thing that makes a fact intelligible. Unlike what occurs with limited time in my sessions with clients, when teaching people about rational thinking through use of my blog, I often use syllogisms.

Generally, a syllogism is comprised of a major premise, a minor premise, and a resulting conclusion. For the sake of argument and understanding, it’s inferred that both premises which lead to a conclusion are presumed to be true.

Bear in mind that the premises in an argument, proposition, or belief of this form will always lead to the conclusion. This is the case even when the premises aren’t actually true.

Equally, in order to be considered “rational,” the argument, proposition, or belief empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. Otherwise, the proposed syllogism may simply follow logical form while not remaining in accord with reason. As an example:

Form (modus ponens) –

If it is true that p, then it is also true that q; p; therefore, q.

Broken down into its specific premises, this form of syllogism is as follows:

Premise 1: If it is true that p, then it is also true that q.

Premise 2: It is true that p.

Conclusion: Therefore, it is also true that q.

A simpler form of writing this type of syllogism is as follows:

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

If I have passion about someone, then uninvited stalking of the individual is acceptable. I have passion about someone. Therefore, uninvited stalking of the individual is acceptable.

Moments ago, I stated that in order to be considered rational an argument, proposition, or belief must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. The syllogistic example I’ve used herein follows logical form. However, do you consider the premises to be reasonable statements?

Unless you advocate arguments in support of stalking, then you likely realize that while the syllogistic example I’ve used is logical, it isn’t reasonable. Ergo, the “passions” aren’t necessarily rational. Finally, Wikipedia states of a Stoic perspective of “passions”:

The passions are transliterated pathê from Greek. The Greek word pathos was a wide-ranging term indicating an infliction one suffers. The Stoics used the word to discuss many common emotions such as anger, fear and excessive joy.

A passion is a disturbing and misleading force in the mind which occurs because of a failure to reason correctly. For the Stoic Chrysippus the passions are evaluative judgements. A person experiencing such an emotion has incorrectly valued an indifferent thing.

A fault of judgement, some false notion of good or evil, lies at the root of each passion. Incorrect judgement as to a present good gives rise to delight, while lust is a wrong estimate about the future. Unreal imaginings of evil cause distress about the present, or fear for the future.

These states of feeling are disturbances of mental health which upset the natural balance of the soul, and destroy its self-control. They are harmful because they conflict with right reason.

The ideal Stoic would instead measure things at their real value, and see that the passions are not natural. To be free of the passions is to have a happiness which is self-contained. There would be nothing to fear—for unreason is the only evil; no cause for anger—for others cannot harm you.

In consideration of this information, it’s worth noting that REBT is influenced by Stoic principles. As such, I maintain that “passion” and the “passions” aren’t entirely in alignment with a well-lived life. Do you doubt this claim? If so, let’s return to the lyrics of “Passion”:

This dream of love is restless

It really is so strong

I want to give you all my love before it’s too far gone

Our love is like a lion

It’s hungry for its prey

Come on and show your lovin’

I really can’t wait

The vocalist describes a “dream of love” as “restless” (characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind). Have you ever had a restless night of sleep? If so, when passion is “so strong,” as indicated in the song, do you maintain that restlessness is akin to wellness?

I imagine that you don’t feel well after a restless night. How about a desire to give someone “all” the love one has to offer, comparing this yearning to a devouring lion? Does this level of passion seem rational to you? The comparison here is to life (lion) and impending death (prey).

Although that may sound romantic, is passion of that sort something you perceive as healthy? What standard of well-being is it for an individual to ravenously stalk another person, as is the case of a lioness and her prey? The stocking syllogism I’ve used herein rejects such behavior.

Moreover, the line in “Passion” that states “I really can’t wait” functions as a form of low frustration tolerance (LFT). Regarding this matter, one REBT source states:

Daily life involves a lot of waiting. Waiting for the subway, a package to arrive, a response to an email, a paycheck, seamless delivery, a movie that’s coming out soon, etc. Considering the significant amount of time we spend waiting for things we want to happen, it’s interesting to think about the common phrase, “I can’t wait.”

While sometimes the phrase is harmless and even may reflect excitement about something to come, it also can lead to dysfunctional feelings. For example, if I’m telling myself “I can’t stand waiting” while waiting for the subway and I’m feeling angry or anxious, it is a frustration intolerance irrational belief.

LFT beliefs cause unpleasant consequences, such as restless sleep. Expressed differently, undisputed passionate beliefs cause un-wellness. Was this your initial impression of “passion” as a concept when first reading lyrics of “Passion”? Admittedly, this wasn’t my view earlier in life.

Still, make no mistake of my inference in this post. I’m not unhelpfully demanding that people shouldn’t, mustn’t, or oughtn’t to be passionate in life. People are welcome to do as they see fit for their self-determined and autonomous lifestyles (within the confines of legal standards).

All the same, for individuals who choose not to be “unwillingly” enslaved to passion, per the APA, then I invite these people to consider a Stoic approach to life. This doesn’t mean deprivation of all joy, pleasure, or positive emotion, or perfect abstinence from all negativity.

Rather, before you decide to position yourself in the bushes outside of someone’s home, or stealthily pursue a person on a social media platform, it may be of some use to consider whether or not you want to be driven by passion. Besides, stalking may not be in anyone’s best interests.

Thus, a Stoic method of rational living is what I invite you to consider. If you’d like to know more about REBT and how this helpful approach to wellness may improve your life, then I look forward to hearing from you. Alternatively, if you choose passionate stalking, don’t contact me.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters. 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

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