Emotions, Persons, and the Body: William James and Jan Patočka
Acta Universitatis Carolinae Philosophica et Historica December 21, 2018 DOI: 10.14712/24647055.2015.2 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe essay argues that the later work of American pragmatist William James and the philosophy of Jan Patočka share striking parallels. Both thinkers view the dynamics of the feeling body as central to human self-understanding and consider emotion a paradigmatic form of embodied consciousness. While James's view remains implicit and intuitive, Patočka gives it a pronounced philosophical articulation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Jan patočka William james Emotion Body Individuality |
| Key finding | Argues that James and Patočka both see the feeling body and emotion as key to human self-understanding, with Patočka providing a more explicit philosophical articulation of James's implicit views. |
Abstract
In this essay, I argue that there are striking parallels between the later work of the American pragmatist William James and the philosophy of Jan Patočka. Taking the naturalistic approach of existential moods in James as my point of departure, I show how both James and Patočka consider the dynamics of the feeling body to be the key to human selfunderstanding. They both see emotion as a paradigmatic form of embodied consciousness. What has remained an implicit and intuitive view in James gains a pronounced philosophical articulation in Patočka.