The Emotional Mind: A Control Theory of Affective States

248 Pages·2019·9.86 MB·English

by  Tom Cochrane

THE EMOTIONAL MIND
In this book, Tom Cochrane develops a new control theory of the
emotionsandrelatedaffectivestates.Groundedinthebasicprinciple
of negative feedback control, his original account outlines a new
fundamental kind of mental content called ‘valent representation’.
Upon this foundation, Cochrane constructs new models for emo-
tions, pains and pleasures, moods, expressive behaviours, evaluative
reasoning, personality traits and long-term character commitments.
Thesevariousstatesarepresentedasincreasinglysophisticatedlayers
ofregulativecontrol,whichtogetherunderpinthearchitectureofthe
mind as a whole. Clearly structured and containing numerous dia-
grams and examples to illustrate the discussion, this study draws on
the latest research from fields including philosophy, psychology and
neuroscience,andwillappealtoreaders interestedinthephilosophy
and cognitive science ofemotion.
  is Lecturer in Philosophy at Flinders University.
Heisaco-editorofTheEmotionalPowerofMusic()andhehas
alsopublishednumerousarticlesonemotions,aestheticvalueandthe
expressive powers ofmusic.

THE EMOTIONAL MIND
ff
A Control Theory of A ective States
TOM COCHRANE
FlindersUniversity
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To all the philosophers on one-year contracts

Contents
List of Figures page x
List of Tables xi
Acknowledgements xii
Introduction 
. TheBigPicture 
. InSearchofSynthesis 
. ThePerceptualTheory 
. TheStrategyofThisBook 
 Valent Representation 
. Foundations 
. TheProblemofMentalContent 
. NegativeFeedbackLoops 
. Life 
. EnactivismversusRepresentationalism 
. SomeFeaturesofValentRepresentation 
. FourElaborations 
. Conclusion 
 Affect 
. AffectiveStates 
. AnInitialDistinction 
. ValentTreatment 
. Imperativism 
. Prioritisation 
. PleasureasSuccess 
. ThePainfulTruth 
. Conclusion 
 Emotions 
. ANaturalKind 
. EmotionasValentRepresentation 
. FormalObjects 
vii
viii Contents
. RepresentingContrasts 
. Surprise 
. NewConcerns 
. ResponseFlexibility 
. Conclusion 
 Bodily Feelings 
. AdditionalContent 
. EmotionswithoutFeelings 
. Moods 
. AssociativeAccountsofFeeling 
. EmotionalSpace 
. EmotionalConcepts 
. CopingPotential 
. TheEmotionsDebate 
 Expression 
. BodilyMusic 
. SignallingandShowing 
. SocialEmotions 
. AgainstIndividualism 
. CollectiveIntentionality 
. SocialNorms 
. CollectiveEffervescence 
. Conclusion 
 Conscious Thought 
. ExtendingtheModel 
. Checking 
. Thought-StimulatedEmotion 
. Planning 
. TheInternalMonologue 
. MotivatedThought 
. EmotionRegulation 
. Conclusion 
 Personality and Character 
. AnIdeal 
. PersonalityTraits 
. TheBigFive 
. TheNatureofCharacter 
. Sentiments 
. Narratives 
. CharacterinCharge 
. Conclusion 