In this engaging discussion, Andrea Scarantino, a Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University, introduces his groundbreaking two-volume work, 'Emotion Theory: The Routledge Comprehensive Guide.' He explores the complexities of defining emotions and the challenges faced in interdisciplinary communication. Scarantino highlights unique cultural expressions of emotions and their physiological responses while shedding light on the historical evolution of emotion theory. The conversation illuminates how emotions serve both natural and normative roles in our lives, making it a must-listen for psychology enthusiasts.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Scarantino's Path to Philosophy
Andrea Scarantino developed an early interest in philosophy due to his skeptical nature.
He initially studied economics due to parental pressure but later pursued philosophy.
insights INSIGHT
Need for Comprehensive Emotion Theory
The field of emotion theory suffers from a lack of integration between disciplines and cross-purpose talking.
Scarantino's book aims to provide a comprehensive resource for students of emotion.
insights INSIGHT
Bridging the Gap in Emotion Theory
Scarantino's book integrates scientific and humanistic approaches to emotion theory.
It aims to bridge the gap between the "manifest image" and the "scientific image" of emotions.
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This two-volume work, edited by Andrea Scarantino, delves into the multifaceted nature of emotions, bringing together perspectives from philosophy, psychology, biology, and neuroscience. It explores the history of emotion theory, examines contemporary theories, and provides detailed analyses of 35 distinct emotions. The book aims to bridge the gap between different disciplines and offer a comprehensive understanding of current emotion research. It serves as a valuable resource for students and researchers alike, providing a synoptic view of the field. The work is notable for its interdisciplinary approach and its attempt to synthesize diverse perspectives on a complex topic.
This interview is an exception to our “single author monographs” rule, because the edited collection that is its topic is an intellectual achievement worth making an exception for in over 12 years of New Books in Philosophy podcasts. Emotion Theory: The Routledge Comprehensive Guide: Volume I and Volume II (Routledge, 2024) is a two-volume compendium of 62 chapters on emotion theory written by 101 leading theorists from philosophy, psychology, biology, sociology, neuroscience, and other fields, all grappling with the question: What is an emotion? Editor Andrea Scarantino, who is a professor of philosophy at George State University, has compiled a synoptic and thematically organized collection that covers the history of emotion theory, the main contemporary theories of emotions, individual chapters on 35 distinct emotions, and more. The volumes bring together theorists from distinct disciplines that don’t normally engage with each others’ work, and provide readers with a one-stop-shop for clearly written introductions to the current states of play in emotion research.
Andrea Scarantino is Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University, where he has taught since 2005.
Carrie Figdor is professor of philosophy at the University of Iowa.
New Books in Psychology