Enjoyment as Enriched Experience: A Theory of Affect and Its Relation to Consciousness

This book explores the challenges of experiencing affect, such as pleasure and pain, and proposes an "enrichment approach" that understands affect as the enrichment or deterioration of conscious activity. It draws from various thinkers, including Alfred North Whitehead, John Dewey, and William James, and suggests that the dynamic repertoire of consciousness can change, expanding and contracting our capacity to feel. The book offers a theory that accounts for the peculiar phenomenology of affect and provides a fresh perspective on consciousness, highlighting its affect-centered nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 364 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book embarks on a profound exploration of the intricate challenges posed by our profound and diverse experience of emotions, encompassing a wide spectrum of pleasures and pains. Its primary objective is to bring to light the unique complexities inherent in this emotional realm, highlighting the need for an "enrichment approach" that recognizes affect as a fundamental aspect of conscious activity rather than a mere collection of feelings. This innovative perspective draws inspiration from a diverse array of thinkers, including Alfred North Whitehead, John Dewey, and William James, all of whom regarded affect as an integral component of the human experience rather than a distinct category of emotions. Furthermore, the book incorporates recent scientific findings that suggest the dynamic nature of consciousness can undergo profound changes, expanding and contracting our capacity to feel and experience the world around us. By seamlessly weaving these diverse viewpoints together, the book develops a comprehensive theory that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the enigmatic phenomenology of affect. This theory sheds light on a wide range of experiences, from the everyday joys and sorrows to the profound satisfactions found in artistic expression and religious revelry. Moreover, it presents a distinctive and affect-centered understanding of consciousness, challenging traditional notions of mind and matter and offering a new framework for comprehending the human condition. Through its engaging and thought-provoking narrative, this book invites readers to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, exploring the depths of their emotional landscape and discovering new ways to navigate the complexities of life with greater wisdom and compassion.

Weight: 621g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031137891
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023