Philosophical theories of emotions, and to an extent some theories of scientific psychology, represent attempts to capture the essence of emotions basically as they are conceived in common sense psychology. Although there are problems, the success of explanations of our behavior in terms of believes, desires and emotions creates a presumption that, at some level of abstraction, they reflect important elements in our psychological nature. It is incumbent on a theory of emotions to provide an account of two salient facts about emotions as conceived in common sense psychology. As intentional states, emotions have representational and rational properties: emotions represent states of affairs; and they are rationally related to other mental representations, figure in rational explanations of behavior, and are open to rational assessment. Emotions also have a close relationship to a range of non-intentional phenomena: in typical cases, emotions involve physiological changes, usually associated with the activation of the autonomic nervous system, which are proprioceptively experienced; and they often involve behavioral tendencies, as well.

Klappentext
"The Emotions" emphasizes the centrality of emotional intentionality as determining the role of emotions in the economy of mind. Standard theories are presented and assessed with respect to the problem of emotional intentionality. The prevailing cognitive or belief-oriented view of representation and rationality is challenged, and an account of desire as a mode of mental representation with a distinctive function and conditions of rationality is introduced. An original theory of emotions as semantically interrelated structures of beliefs and desires is developed and defended. Also, within the framework provided by the theory, novel solutions are presented to problems about emotional expression and motivation, emotional affectivity, activity and passivity, and positive and negative emotions.

Inhalt
I Understanding Emotions.- The Intentionality of Emotions.- II Intentionality.- III Emotions and Belief.- IV Component Theories of Emotions.- V Evaluative Theories of Emotions.- VI The Belief-Desire Theory of Emotions.- The Economy of Mind.- VII Emotional Behavior.- VIII Emotional Affectivity.- Dimensions of Emotions.- IX Activity and Passivity.- X Positive and Negative Emotions.- References.