Description
While human beings might be rational animals, they are emotional animals as well. Emotions play a central role in all areas of our lives and if we are to have a proper understanding of human life and activity, we ought to have a good grasp of the emotions. Michael S. Brady structures Emotion: The Basics around two basic, yet fundamental, questions: What are emotions? And what do emotions do? In answering these questions Brady provides insight into a core component of all our lives, covering:
- the nature of emotion;
- emotion, knowledge, and understanding;
- emotion and action;
- emotions and social groups;
- emotion, morality, and art.
In this concise and insightful introduction, Brady explains why we are often better off as a result of emotion rather than reason being in the driving seat, as our lives, both individual and social, would be significantly impoverished without the emotions. With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, Emotion: The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a full introduction to the philosophical study of emotion.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 The Nature of Emotion
How to do philosophy (of emotion)
Some complications
Three theories of emotion
A different theoretical perspective
Chapter 2 Emotion, Knowledge, and Understanding
Curiosity
Emotion, attention, and understanding
Emotion and intellectual virtue
Chapter 3 Emotion and Action
Emotions and decisions
Motivation, dispositions, and desires
The role of feeling in motivation
Chapter 4 Emotions and Social Groups
Love and commitment
Pride and the communication of virtue
The social value of group emotion
Chapter 5 Emotion, Morality, and Art
Emotion and morality
The arts and emotion
Glossary
Bibliography
