130078 VO Theories of Emotion (2014S)

Emotions play an absolutely seminal role in the composition and interpretation of literature and culture. But what is an emotion and how do we register it? Many important questions remain unanswered. Given that the tapestry of a person’s emotional responses is frequently understood as a marker of identity, it is by no means surprising that there are heated debates about the definition of the emotions. This lecture series will begin with a historical overview of Western traditions of interpretation which have defined the emotions as irrational expressions of the passions, and it will introduce recent neuropsychological arguments which have defined the emotions as essentially rational evaluative techniques. The lecture will offer an introduction to cognitive approaches to the explanation of emotion and it will discuss the implications of diverging theories in the context of practical interpretations. Jane Austen’s vastly popular novel Pride and Prejudice will feature as a seminal point of reference. A selection of critical essays will be collected in a Reader and some additional material will be available on Moodle.