Emotion #2

The James-Lange Theory

Suggests that our bodies and emotions have a strong connection. Furthermore that emotions are actually physical in nature and body changes are the cause of emotional changes. 

An example: 

If Physical symptoms are removed from a certain emotion, the emotion itself disappears. E.g. Anger 

If the fist clenching and other signs of anger are taken out of the equation... One is not going to be angry anymore. 

Also according to the theory one is able to emphasise... i.e. be able to relate to someone elses emotion by mimicking it. 

Emotion and Knowledge

Emotion as an obstacle to the knowledge

• Perception: Our perception can be altered or colored by strong emotions such as "love which makes blind"
• Emotional Colouring: Can make us aware of some aspects of reality whilst ignoring others. Being so strongly in love to the point of ignoring flaws etc. 
• Reason: Can be negatively affected by our emotion through believing in something too strongly. This hinders open mindedness. 
• Language: Using powerful emotion is likely to use emotive language. 

Emotion as a source of knowledge 

Emotions may be used as sources of knowledge as well... this can happen in situations when saying "he was being overly emotional". This doesn't mean he has too many emotions but simply he was expressing himself too much emotionally. Without emotions we would fall victim of being overly rational and because all decisions would look equal we would never be able to make a final decision. 

Rationalising