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| Plato |
The general goal of this project is to elucidate the concept of valence. The study will consist of five peripheral research modules centered on a core module: (1) Valence and intentionality of emotions. This core module will be approached conjointly by all the members of the project, while the peripheral modules will involve various sub-groups working in parallel. These are: (2) Motivation and Regulation, (3) Hedonic valence, (4) Bodily feelings, (5) Valence and value, (6) The valence of Self-reflective emotions. Here is a brief outline of the issues dealt with in those modules. First, valence (emotions are either positive or negative) and intentionality (they are directed at objects) are two fundamental and related traits of emotions. What distinct relations, then, hold between the intentionality of emotions and their valence? Second, valence is often understood by appealing to the motivational aspect of emotional phenomena. Can then positive and negative valence just be reducible to, respectively, motivation to pursue and motivation to avoid? Third, valence is often understood in hedonic terms. How is hedonic valence to be construed? Fourth, the idea of valence must, in some way, be connected with the fact that emotions are accompanied by bodily feelings. Whereas both valence and bodily feelings are often construed, at least in part, as phenomenological in nature, they are nevertheless clearly distinct, since the latter need not be understood in terms of pleasures and pains. So what is the relation between felt bodily emotions and valence? Fifth, the concepts of valence and value are clearly related. Is the concept of valence basically an axiological concept? Can the theory of value help us to understand valence, and consequently, the emotions ? Sixth, the peculiarly complex self-evaluative emotions, which appear to have a double intentionality (athey are directed towards the world and oneself), will constitute for us a particularly interesting case study of emotional valence.
PEOPLE INVOLVED:
