History of emotions
History of emotions
idea
Neuroscience has much to learn from Hume’s philosophy of emotions
According to philosopher David Hume, it takes a lifetime to get our emotions right. Neuroscience has much to learn from him
by Richard C Sha
Human rights and justice
idea
The history of humiliation points to the future of human dignity
Humiliation requires a complicit audience. To become truly ‘decent societies’, we need to educate people against joining in
by Ute Frevert
Love
idea
Working, flirting and sex: courtship in 18th-century France
Flirting, sex and affection: working-class couples courting in 18th-century France show they are not so different from today
by Julie Hardwick
History of ideas
idea
How 12th-century Genoese merchants invented the idea of risk
From the docks of 12th-century Genoa to the gambling tables of today, risk is a story that we tell ourselves about the future
by Karla Mallette
Rituals and celebrations
idea
Rituals create community by translating our love into action
For the Confucian Xunzi, love and gratitude are not just feelings in response to events but possibilities for social action
by Curie Virág
Emotions
idea
Are you sure you know what emotions are?
It’s tricky to define what an emotion is: is surprise one, or something else? Here are a few simple rules to get started
by Andrew Ortony
Wonder and the sublime
idea
Is the sublime a hopelessly old-fashioned Euro-Romantic ideal?
The sublime is not only for the Romantics, nor just about gender or overcoming nature. It’s in the thrills-and-chills of emotion
by Robert Clewis
Anxiety
idea
After many false starts, this might be the true age of anxiety
If anxiety is more common than ever, it’s also more treatable. But excessive nervousness wasn’t always taken so seriously
by Jason Schnittker
Learning and education
idea
Perplexed? Embrace it! Confusion is a symptom of learning
Perplexed? Embrace it! Confusion is a sign of learning, but the key is finding the sweet spot of productive confusion
by Juliette Vazard
History of emotions
idea
True gratitude is a communal emotion, not a wellness practice
Positive psychology touts the personal benefits of gratitude. It’s actually a challenging emotion that binds communities
by Michal Zechariah
History of emotions
idea
The fear that trashy media will rot your brain goes way back
Keeping up with the Faerie Queene: from early modern romances to reality TV, does bingeing ‘lowbrow’ culture rot the brain?
by James Waddell
History of emotions
idea
The journeys taken by emotion words shape our inner lives
Changes to the meanings of euphoria, enthusiasm and ecstasy over time chart the ever-shifting territory of the emotions
by Tim Lomas