Read more
Michael Slote argues that emotion is involved in all human thought and action on conceptual grounds, rather than merely being causally connected with other aspects of the mind. Such a sentimentalist view of the mind provides solutions to important problems about belief and action that other approaches fail to address.
About the author
Michael Slote received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and is UST Professor of Ethics at the University of Miami. A member of the Royal Irish Academy and former Tanner Lecturer, he is the author of many books and articles in ethics, political philosophy, and moral psychology. His current research is on the implications of sentimentalism for virtue epistemology and philosophy of science, and also on the implications of social science for a philosophical understanding of human lives and human life.
Summary
Michael Slote argues that emotion is involved in all human thought and action on conceptual grounds, rather than merely being causally connected with other aspects of the mind. Such a sentimentalist view of the mind provides solutions to important problems about belief and action that other approaches fail to address.
Additional text
To sum it up. Slote's book is important because of the balance it brings with its interpretation of the mind in terms of emotion/sentiment/feeling/affect. In this sense it fills a conceptual gap. More particularly, Slote offers us worthwhile remarks about feeling/emotion and particular emotions/feelings. Finally, his attempt at explaining the mind can be read in holistic light. The number of endnotes to this review reflect, I hope, how much Slote's book is a significant contribution for anyone interested in issues pertaining to affectivity.
