Philosophy Essay

The cognitive theory of emotion comes under fire in Cheshire Calhoun's Cognitive Emotions? In this essay, Calhoun (p. 239) maintains that cognitive theories of emotion that are based on a connection between emotion and "relevant beliefs" are invalid. Calhoun (p. 237) discusses two kinds of cognitivism that he undermines, "patchwork" and "unity" accounts. In both of these accounts, the author argues that beliefs are associated with many other concepts, from feelings and assessment to behavior and desires. Patchwork accounts are either "logico-linguistic" or "ontological" (Calhoun, p. 237). The logico-linguistic account views beliefs as partial components of emotion and that "ascriptions of emotions entail ascriptions of certain sorts of beliefs (Solomon, p. 237). Ontological accounts go even further by proclaiming that "beliefs are ingredients of emotion" (Calhoun, p. 237).

Unity theories of cognitive emotion do not try to deconstruct emotion into non-emotion elements, but they do maintain that beliefs take on uniquely emotional qualities. Even so, Calhoun claims that the unity theory radically transforms the concept of belief. As the author exclaims, "How can a physiological disturbance be a belief? Are not these, logically and ontologically, distinct categories?" (Calhoun, p. 238). In short, patchwork theories of emotion reject the idea that emotional beliefs are any different than any other kind of belief. Neither of these theories is able

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ellectual believing. This deconstruction of beliefs, intelligence and worldviews shows that the direct causal link between bdliefs and emotions offered by the constructivist is seriously flawed. There are too many variables associated with beliefs to suggest that they are the cause of emotions, especially as the case between the different arrivals at emotion that Carl and Tess experience in Calhoun's exploration. As Calhoun (p. 240) "The cognitivist would like to deny brute emotions that lack an intelligible well-spring in belief." Cognitivists fall into this trap because it is virtually impossible for them to view human behavior and feeling as anything disconnected from logical, rational processes. Calhoun proves this denial may limit their ability to ever fully understand the nature of emotions. Reference Calhoun, C. (XXXX). Cognitive emotions? 236-247. Philosophy Essay Two In Robert Solomon's (p. 224) From Emotions and Choice, the author supports a cognitive theory of emotions wherein "evaluative judgments play an essential role." In this essay, Solomon argues against the conventional explanation of emotions as feelings or affect. The author does admit the possibility that emotions may be paired with feelings but th

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