A cognitive approach to emotions: Can we choose our emotions?
Solomon (1973) argued that emotions are, put simply, judgments. I get angry at john because I think he stole my car (therefore he did me wrong) but if I realise it was just a dream and John didn’t really steal my car than I am no longer angry because John did not do me wrong (put simply). Does this mean we can choose our emotions or is it a matter of having some sort of control of our emotions? What about the case of unconscious emotions?
I’m writing a philosophy essay and I’d like some sources that I can read up on on these issues or even just reasoned arguments for or against
Assuming we have free will and our past is part of who we are.
Happiness can be attributed to a judgement as long as it is an intense burst of feelings. So I could be happy that I got a good mark for my essay, but later realise that it was a 65% and not 95% and then no longer be happy. This is because my judgement has changed.
But what does not include judgements are moods. I could have been happy about the mark and then that caused me to be in a good mood. In this sense there are no judgements involved.
Although, I still find unconscious emotions the best refutation to Solomon’s theory, unless it can be explained some other way.
I think Solomon’s theory is bunk. I think many of our emotions are inherited and instinctive and are built in for survival, such as fear, anger etc. I believe that emotions can be somewhat controlled but not completely eliminated or substituted.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:17 am
I believe kind of both arguments. You CHOOSE to be angry. You CHOOSE to feel emotional pain, you CHOOSE to allow yourself to be happy. HOWEVER, the reasons you choose these feelings are strongly molded by your childhood, the relationship you had with your parents, life disappointments, etc. So, I believe you choose your emotions, but you choose them based on your own personal life experiences that shaped who you are.
References :
Life
November 16th, 2009 at 5:56 am
I think Solomon’s theory is bunk. I think many of our emotions are inherited and instinctive and are built in for survival, such as fear, anger etc. I believe that emotions can be somewhat controlled but not completely eliminated or substituted.
References :
November 16th, 2009 at 6:18 am
No, because it does not adequately explain happiness. i think it is very hard to argue that happiness comes about as a judgment, because then too comes depression and dejection.
i see what you mean i think thats what i was intending moods, hence depression.
References :
‘Ode to Dejection’ S.T. Coleridge (Romantic poet and philosopher)
November 16th, 2009 at 6:28 am
dreams are fanciful, not factual,innocent.So therefor commonsense prevents anger…. but hard cold fact ,like the car being stolen ,is areal event ,fact. its something you have an emotional link with, so you would naturally feel anger. put simply
References :
November 16th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I don’t want to think to hard about this question, they hurt me.
Philosophy was MADDENING to me.
But you answered one of my questions, about the Meyers-Briggs…I went to send you and e-mail about it but you don’t allow contact.
I am also an INTJ, interestingly enough I am dating a Leo.
If you like you can initially contact me through Yahoo 360, -tequila9+ (minus tequila 9 plus) Rebus puzzle.
Peace.
References :