Topics in Philosophy of Emotion - PHI00112M

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Module summary

In this module you will explore some key debates and puzzles in contemporary philosophy of emotion. Topics may include the role of bodily feeling in emotion, whether emotion is a form of perception, the distinction between emotion and mood, whether emotions are social constructs, particular emotions (such as grief, regret, or nostalgia) and philosophical accounts of how we regulate our emotions, and of how they might be shared.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

• To explore some ongoing philosophical debates about emotion, and develop a detailed understanding of these debates.

• To develop the following skills:

  • Working your way to an understanding of challenging philosophical material in an autonomous way

  • Evaluating ideas and arguments methodically and in detail

  • Discussing module material with others, working together to understand and critically evaluate ideas and arguments

  • Developing your own view on a puzzle or problem and assembling a detailed, reasoned case for that view

  • Independent research skills

  • Making connections amongst a range of interrelated debates

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

• Understand some puzzles, problems, and theories in the philosophy of emotion and explain those in clear and precise terms, showing critical awareness and an ability to synthesize information and ideas from a variety of sources

• Develop and articulate detailed arguments for and against particular theories in the philosophy of emotion

• Make a measured judgement about which are the most plausible answers to some questions in the philosophy of emotion, based on a careful consideration of the arguments, and make a sustained and detailed case for that judgement

• Be able to read and critically engage with contemporary work on the philosophy of emotion in an autonomous way

• Have further developed their skills in philosophical discussion and writing

• Be able to prepare an extended essay that goes beyond the core framework that is provided by seminar readings and discussions, and which shows independence and critical reflection in the development of arguments

Module content

Indicative topics include:

• What are emotions? Are they (partly or wholly) constituted by bodily feelings, or by judgements? Are they best understood as a form of perception?

• How are emotions distinguished from moods?

• Are emotions (or some emotions) natural kinds, or are they in some sense socially constructed?

• How can we make sense of the fact that grief comes to an end despite the fact that the loss one grieves over persists?

• Is nostalgia necessarily past-directed?

• Is regret always about something one has done?

• How do we use the environment to regulate our emotions?

• In what sense, if any, can emotions be shared?

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

All formative and summative feedback will be returned in accordance with University and Departmental policy.

Indicative reading

Colombetti, Giovanna & Krueger, Joel (2015). Scaffoldings of the affective mind. Philosophical Psychology 28 (8):1157-1176.

Marušic, Berislav. 2022. On the Temporality of Emotions: An Essay on Grief, Anger, & Love. OUP.

Price, Carolyn (2020). The Many Flavours of Regret. The Monist 103 (2):147-162.

Sweeney, Paula (2020). Nostalgia reconsidered. Ratio 33 (3):184-190.

Tappolet, Christine. 2023. Philosophy of Emotion: A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge

Zahavi, D. (2015). You, Me, and We: The Sharing of Emotional Experiences. Journal of Consciousness Studies 22 (1-2):84-101.