Historical–psychological reflections on emotion and human subjectivity (original) (raw)
2014, South African Journal of Psychology
The changeability of human beings over time is the central theme of this article. Emotion in Western society, in particular grief, is selected to provide a case history of mental change over a long time period. Two historical examples are examined: from Greek Antiquity, a scene from Homer’s Iliad, and from around 90 ce, a consolation letter written by Plutarch to his wife. These are contrasted to modern-day psychological advice given to grieving spouses and parents. It is argued that these three examples show discontinuous changes in lived-through experience, and that the transition to the 20th century is tied to the development of the modern self. Finally, the article suggests that a concept (esthema) similar to Foucault’s episteme is in operation here, which can be used to characterise the differences in ‘emotion’ over the three time periods.
Sign up for access to the world's latest research.
checkGet notified about relevant papers
checkSave papers to use in your research
checkJoin the discussion with peers
checkTrack your impact
Related papers
Managed to Death: A History of Emotions
MANAGED TO DEATH: A HISTORY 2 Managed to Death: A History of Emotions Attempting to recount the extensive history of emotion theory is an ambitious pursuit.
In what ways can Historians ideas about the study of emotions throw new light on the past
In 1941 historian Lucien Febvre challenged historians to reflect upon the emotions, stating that no historian concerned with the social life of individuals can any longer disregard their importance . Historians were quick to see, as Joanna Bourke states, that examination of the “transformations undergone by emotions within societies could provide a unique insight into everyday life .” However, the Primary problem facing historians has been how to define emotions to enable a rigorous academic study . If emotions are to have such a thing, then the historian is behoved to seek out and propose suitable methods to achieve such ends. This essay will seek to review the number of different methodological approaches that have been developed to fulfil this requirement and how such work has gleamed new historical insight. First by looking at how it has been suggested we may correctly interpret the cultural meaning of emotion from the past, from our modern vantage point. This in turn requires a review of the debates surrounding how it is proposed historical analysis of emotions be carried out, or if it can at all. Finally, exploring two fundamental methodological concepts central to the history of the emotions, by using as means of analysis the history such methods have produced, the essay will demonstrate how such studies of emotion can contribute to the wider academic practice.
Review: Politiques des émotions au Moyen Âge, Damien Boquet and Piroska Nagy, ed
Canadian Bulletin of Medical History Bulletin Canadien D Histoire De La Medecine, 2012
book reviews / comptes rendus Overall, this is a very enjoyable, well-produced, and valuable (if also sometimes slightly uncomfortable!) introduction to the depiction of health and medicine, and one that will be of interest to scholars and the general public alike. alun withey University of Exeter Politiques des émotions au Moyen Âge Damien Boquet and Piroska Nagy, ed. Micrologus' Library 34. Florence: SISMEL Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2010, 358 p.
Loading Preview
Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.