PHIL 450E Special Topic: Philosophy of Emotions

This course explores current philosophical thinking on emotion through the reading of both philosophical and empirical works. We will ask such questions as what is the nature, value, and justifiability of emotion? How do emotions relate to other types of mental states? To what extent are emotions dependent on social influences? Are emotions in the brain or are they forms of behavior? Are emotions guided by reason or are they beyond the control of reason? Readings will be selected from a diverse group of writers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Darwin, James, Dewey, Freud, Ekman, Frijda, Damasio, and Nussbaum.