Passions: Philosophy and the Intelligence of Emotions

Overview

Course No. 4123

A distinguished philosopher and author takes you on a tour of his more than three-decade-long intellectual struggle to reach an understanding of emotions—“the key to the meaning of life.” In this course, Professor Robert C. Solomon reveals how emotions are not just routine phenomena but possess intelligence vital for navigating life.

With 24 informative lectures, Professor Solomon guides you through the complexities of emotions, challenging the conventional separation of emotion and reason. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and interactions with various philosophical thinkers, you’ll gain insights into the nature of emotions and their significance in shaping our experiences.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore critical questions about the origins and impact of emotions, the interplay between emotions and personal values, and how understanding these concepts can enrich your life. Prepare for a deep dive into the philosophy of emotions that emphasizes their importance in every facet of our existence.

Course Structure

1. Emotions as Engagements with the World (32 min)

• Discover the significance of sound and the power of emotions in engaging with life.

1. The Wrath of Achilles (31 min)

• Examine the emotion of anger through the lens of Achilles in the “Iliad.”

1. It’s Good to Be Afraid (33 min)

• Analyze the protective role of fear and its complexities.

1. Lessons of Love – Plato’s Symposium (34 min)

• Explore the concept of love and its transformational power in relationships.

1. We Are Not Alone – Compassion and Empathy (34 min)

• Understand the moral sentiment of sympathy and its connection to compassion.

1. Noble? or Deadly Sin? Pride and Shame (30 min)

• Discuss the social implications and variations of pride and shame.

1. Nasty – Iago’s Envy, Othello’s Jealousy (31 min)

• Delve into the destructive emotions of envy and jealousy.

1. Nastier – Resentment and Vengeance (31 min)

• Investigate the complexities of resentment and its connection to vengeance.

1. A Death in the Family – The Logic of Grief (31 min)

• Examine grief as an extension of love and its significance in our lives.

1. James and the Bear – Emotions and Feelings (31 min)

• Contrast the concepts of emotions and feelings and their implications.

1. Freud’s Catharsis – The Hydraulic Model (29 min)

• Challenge Freud’s model of emotions as mechanical processes.

1. Are Emotions “in” the Mind? (31 min)

• Explore different philosophical views on the mind and its relation to emotions.

1. How Emotions Are Intelligent (31 min)

• Argue for the intelligence of emotions in achieving personal goals.

1. Emotions as Judgments (31 min)

• Learn about the importance of judgments in shaping our emotional experiences.

1. Beyond Boohoo and Hooray (31 min)

• Analyze the richness of emotions beyond simplistic labels.

1. Emotions Are Rational (31 min)

• Discuss the rationality behind emotions and their relevance to decision-making.

1. Emotions and Responsibility (32 min)

• Examine the ownership of emotions and the responsibilities they entail.

1. Emotions in Ethics (33 min)

• Review the historical evolution of ethics related to emotions.

1. Emotions and the Self (31 min)

• Investigate how emotions shape our sense of self and identity.

1. What Is Emotional Experience? (32 min)

• Study the components of emotional experience and their effects.

1. Emotions across Cultures – Universals (31 min)

• Explore commonalities in emotional experiences across different cultures.

1. Emotions across Cultures – Differences (30 min)

• Analyze significant cultural differences in emotional expression.

1. Laughter and Music (28 min)

• Examine how laughter and music express and evoke emotions.

1. Happiness and Spirituality (32 min)

• Conclude the course by exploring the connections between emotions and happiness.