PASSIONS, in moral philosophy, are certain motions of the soul, which make it pursue what appears to be good, and avoid whatever threatens evil.
By reflecting, says Mr Locke, on the various modifications or tempers of the mind, and the internal sensations which pleasure and pain, good and evil, produce in us, we may thence form to ourselves the ideas of our passions. Thus, by reflecting upon the thought we have of the delight which any thing is apt to produce in us, we form an idea which we call love. Desire is that uneasiness which a man finds in himself upon the absence of any thing, the present enjoyment of which causes delight. Joy is a delight of the mind, arising from the present, or assured approaching, possession of some good. Sorrow is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of a good lost, or the sense of a present evil. Hope is a pleasure in the mind, upon the thought of a probable future enjoyment of a thing which is apt to delight. Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of a future evil likely to befall us. Anger is a discomposure of the mind, upon the receipt of injury, with a present purpose of revenge. Despair is the thought of the unattainableness of any good. Envy is an uneasiness of mind, caused by the consideration of a good we desire, obtained by one we think should not have had it before us.
On the just regulation and subordination of the passions, depends, in a great measure, the happiness of mankind. See MORAL PHILOSOPHY.