JeneferRobinson
Deeper than Reason, Emotion and its Role in Literature, Music, andArt
Oxford University Press
ISBN-13:978-0-19-926365-3
Présentation de l'éditeur
Deeper thanReason takes the insights of modern psychological and neuroscientific researchon the emotions and brings them to bear on questions about our emotionalinvolvement with the arts. Robinson begins by laying out a theory of emotion,one that is supported by the best evidence from current empirical work onemotions, and then in the light of this theory examines some of the ways inwhich the emotions function in the arts. Written in a clear and engaging style,her book will make fascinating reading for anyone who is interested in theemotions and how they work, as well as anyone engaged with the arts andaesthetics, especially with questions about emotional expression in the arts,emotional experience of art forms, and, more generally, artisticinterpretation.
Part Onedevelops a theory of emotions as processes, having at their core non-cognitive'instinctive' appraisals, 'deeper than reason', which automatically inducephysiological changes and action tendencies, and which then give way tocognitive monitoring of the situation. Part Two examines the role of theemotions in understanding literature, especially the great realistic novels of thenineteenth century. Robinson argues that such works need to be experiencedemotionally if they are to be properly understood. A detailed reading of EdithWharton's novel The Reef demonstrates how a great novel can educate usemotionally by first evoking instinctive emotional responses and then gettingus to cognitively monitor and reflect upon them. Part Three puts forward a newRomantic theory of emotional expression in the arts. Part Four deals withmusic, both the emotional expression of emotion in music, whether vocal orinstrumental, and the arousal of emotion by music. The way music arousesemotion lends indirect support to the theory of emotion outlined in Part One.
Whilegrounded in the science of emotion, Deeper than Reason demonstrates the continuingimportance of the arts and humanities to our lives.
Table des matières
I. What areEmotions and How do they Operate?
1. Emotionsas Judgements
2.Stirrings of the Blood
3. Emotionas Process
II. Emotionin Literature
4. TheImportance of Being Emotional
5. Puzzlesand Paradoxes
6. ASentimental Education
7. FormalDevices as Coping Mechanisms
III.Expressing Emotions in the Arts
8. Pouringforth the Soul
9. A NewRomantic Theory of Expression
IV. Musicand the Emotions
10.Emotional Expression in Music
11. TheExpression of Emotion in Instrumental Music
12.Listening with Emotion: how our emotions help us to understand music
13. Feelingthe Music
14.Epilogue
L'auteur
JeneferRobinson, Department of Philosophy, University of Cincinnati