Understanding mixed and ambiguous emotions - integrating neurophenomenology and literary studies.

A commentary on Willems' neurocognitive model for mixed and ambiguous emotions and morality offers three suggestions. First, an atheoretical approach may inadvertently adopt limitations from dominant paradigms and neglect the need for theoretical guidance in developing valid emotion constructs. Second, a dynamical systems theory of emotions, paired with neurophenomenology as a methodology, provides a more fruitful framework. Third, integrating insights from the humanities, particularly on literary moral emotions, would strengthen Willems' objectives.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This commentary makes three suggestions on Willems' neurocognitive model for understanding mixed and ambiguous emotions and morality. First, it proposes that his atheoretical approach risks unwittingly adopting theoretical and conceptual limitations implicit in reigning paradigms and overlooking the need for theoretical impetus and constraints in the development of valid constructs of targeted emotions. Second, it suggests that a dynamical systems approach to emotions provides a fruitful theory and neuro-phenomenology as a corresponding methodology. Lastly, it proposes that Willems' objective would benefit from a more systematic integration of insights from the humanities into the nature and nuances of literary (moral) emotions.