PHI 366 - Topics: Philosophy of Emotions (1)

More now than ever, philosophers working in a wide variety of areas are interested in emotion. Discussion of emotion figures prominently in moral psychology, action theory, aesthetics, and even in some strains of philosophy of mind and epistemology. But what exactly are emotions? What exactly would we be missing out on if we did not experience them? In this course, we will consider a variety of (mostly) contemporary philosophical responses to these questions. We will begin by examining the most prominent theories about the composition of emotions: are they feelings? Judgments? Perceptions? Then, we will move on to questions about the significance of emotions for human life. We will consider how emotions enable, sustain, or interfere with our capacities as knowers and as moral agents. We will conclude by considering some special topics. Prerequisites: Recommended that students have taken at least one PHI course, but not required.
(Humanities)