Philosophy is like sex: sure you can get some interesting results, but that's not why we do it. Going one step beyond…why do you FEEL pain or pleasure? Do plants have emotions? How is possible that some people do not understand other’s emotions? Emotions seem to be everywhere, giving meaning to all events of our lives. They are the backbone of social activities as well as they drive the cognitive processes of several living entities. Several animals, including humans, have emotions but…what about machines?...Do machine can have emotions?
Emotions: a Philosophical Introduction
Emotions: a Philosophical Introduction
Instructor: Jordi Vallverdú
52,536 already enrolled
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.4
(514 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 15 hours
Learn at your own pace
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Assessments
13 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 7 modules in this course
Welcome to this amazing course on the nature of emotions. You’ll see that emotions are everywhere. They are the true meaning of our lives and guide us all throughout our daily actions. There is a lot to discuss, to think about, to discover about them! Six modules for a Course, one Course for new Knowledge!
What's included
1 video8 readings
At the very beginning of this course we will look at the basic definitions and concepts related to the emotional events. At the same time we will introduce basic philosophical ideas in order to make possible the understanding of the nature of emotional values.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
After the clarification about the different aspects we can find in emotional analysis, we will look at the number and type of different emotions. There are several theories about their number, and all of them also contain a way to understand how emotions emerged and evolved. The debate will be fun!
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
Not only humans do have emotions. Other mammals have also them. And even insects. But do plants have emotions? Even bacteria, a so small entity, have also these emotional mechanisms. An evolutionary reconstruction will understand to understand how emotions are spread among living entities.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
Emotions regulate several key aspects of our life. But they are fundamental for social cohesion. Cooperation or altruism are fundamental aspects of human socialization that must be understood from an emotional perspective. Neurons will show the path to the creation of societies.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
There are plenty of historical debates on the nature and role of emotions into philosophical spaces. Usually, this approach is made studying at Western thinkers, but we will also include Eastern ones. Therefore, we will analyse how most important philosophical traditions have understood and explain the role of emotions. [Spoiler: they always said they were BAD!].
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
At the end of this course we will look on how emotions are displayed into new technological frameworks: social networks, mass media,…but we will think about how emotions are implemented into robots or computers. A new technological era come to us, with the same necessities of all previous ones: emotional. Machines will be emotional, if we want they be really smart, autonomous, and efficient.
What's included
5 videos1 reading3 assignments
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.5 (93 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Philosophy
Dartmouth College
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Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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4.4
514 reviews
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Showing 3 of 514
MH
4
Reviewed on Nov 8, 2020
It is a good introductory course. However I feel a more elaborate description of the content would be even more helpful
AL
5
Reviewed on Aug 31, 2024
An entertaining and informative discussion of emotions, from ancient philosophers to modern AI.
EB
4
Reviewed on Mar 24, 2018
Interesting Course with a lot of information not only from a philosopical perspective but also from different scientific approaches!! Nice and very usefull bibliography !!
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Frequently asked questions
This course is for all of you who would like to know more about Emotions, about how we feel.
No academic bakcground is required to take the course. However, there is a desiderata: to have an open-minded attitude towards new information and ideas.
No, you just need to have an open-minded attitude towards new information and ideas.
No, you will only need a computer, smartphone or tablet to follow the course.
However, if you are interested in obtaining the Course Certificate, you may also need a webcam (if it is not included in your device).