Gut Reactions A Perceptual Theory of Emotion [Paperback]

Gut Reactionsis an interdisciplinary defense of the claim that emotions are perceptions in a double sense. First of all, they are perceptions of changes in the body, but, through the body, they also allow us to literally perceive danger, loss, and other matters of concern. This proposal, which Prinz calls theembodied appraisal theory,reconciles the long standing debate between those who say emotions are cognitive and those who say they are noncognitive. The basic idea behind embodied appraisals is captured in the familiar notion of a gut reaction, which has been overlooked by much emotion research. Prinz also addresses emotional valence, emotional consciousness, and the debate between evolutionary psychologists and social constructionists.

1. Introduction: Piecing Passions Apart
2. Feeling Without Thinking
3. Embodied Appraisals
4. Basic Emotions and Nature
5. Emotions and Nature
6. Emotions and Nurture
7. Valence
8. A Typology of Affective States
9. Emotional Consciousness
10. Is Getting Mad Like Seeing Red?
Coda: Parting Ways
References
Index

Gut Reactionsis an important book on emotions by a careful thinker and engaging writer, one who tries harder than most to work in both the philosophical and psychological realms. It ought to be required reading for all those who are interested in the scientific study of emotions, and should appeal to an even wider audience. -Anthony P. Atkinson,Philosophical Psychology

Prinz's book provides a valuable perspective on the emotions by offering a compelling and surprisingly fecund defense of a view neglected in recent philosophy. Given the tendency of much recent research on the philosophy of emotions to revisitad nauseumthe same few debates with the same few responses, Prinz's book offers an exciting and refreshing new course.Gut Reactionsshould spawn needed debal£"