Keyword: human fear
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Tappolet, Christine. Emotion, Motivation and Action: The Case of Fear
2009, The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Emotion
Topics: Cognitive Science; Mental States and Processes; Neuroscience; Psychology
Keywords: action; emotion; human fear; motivation; motivational egoism; motivational modularity
Traditions: Analytic; North American
Languages: English

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Added by: Jimena Clavel
Abstract:
This article starts with some general points about fear. After that, it spells out and discusses the thesis of motivational modularity. However, even though that thesis is plausible in cases of non-human fear, this is not so for human fear. This is why the article turns to the claim that fear comes with some specific desire instead. The last section discusses the thesis of motivational egoism. It argues that when we experience fear for someone else, the motivation involved is exactly as altruistic as when we feel compassion for that person.
Comment: In this paper, Tappolet discusses some assumptions presupposed by some who resist a more enthusiastic conception on the rationality of emotions. She focuses mostly on fear, but goes through some general features of emotions. This chapter can be listed as recommended or secondary reading on sessions that discuss the motivational component of emotions or the rationality of emotions.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Recommended use: Further

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