by Jason Stotts
Can a person be “in love” and yet feel nothing for the person he is supposedly in love with? Can he, on the other hand, feel as though he is in love with someone without thinking he is in love with her? Alternatively, can he feel hatred for a person he thinks that he should love?
What is the connection between “emotional experience” (the feeling part) and “emotional beliefs” (the conviction part)?
What does it mean that they can be in conflict with each other?
Should we consider instances where a person has only the “emotional experience” or the “emotional belief” to be true instances of the emotion?
It seems strange to say that I hate someone, when I feel nothing. Perhaps only strong emotions require the combination of both EE and EB, while less strong emotions suffice with either EE or EB.
Is there a difference between “hot” emotions (like rage) and “cold” emotions (like admiration)?
I’ve been thinking a lot about emotions recently, as I’m working on that chapter in my book now, and there are a number of problems I’m trying to work out.
Expect an essay on the nature of emotions sometime in the next month or so.
Feel free to leave comments.