History of Feelings

Rob Boddice's "A History of Feelings" explores the complex history of feelings from antiquity to the present, tracing the evolution of emotional encounters and individual experiences across the globe. It argues that how we feel is the dynamic product of the existence of our minds and bodies in moments of time and space, integrating biological, anthropological, and social and cultural factors.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2019
Publisher: Reaktion Books

What does it mean to feel something? What stimulates our desires, aspirations, and dreams? Did our ancestors feel in the same way to us? Historians have tried to make sense of our feelings, passions, moods, emotions, and sentiments over the last decade in a wave of new research. For the first time, however, Rob Boddice brings together the latest findings to trace the complex history of feelings from antiquity to the present. "A History of Feelings" is a compelling account of the unsaid – the gestural, affective, and experiential. Rob Boddice argues that how we feel is the dynamic product of the existence of our minds and bodies in moments of time and space. Using a progressive approach that integrates biological, anthropological, and social and cultural factors, he describes the evolution of emotional encounters and individual experiences across the globe. Written by one of the world's leading scholars of the history of emotions, this epic exploration of our affective life is essential reading for all those fascinated by our own well-being.

Our ancestors' feelings were shaped by their environment, culture, and experiences, just as ours are today. The history of feelings is a complex and multifaceted story that has been shaped by a wide range of factors, including social, cultural, and biological changes. In this essay, we will explore the history of feelings from antiquity to the present, focusing on the ways in which our ancestors' experiences have influenced our own.

One of the key themes in the history of feelings is the development of emotions. Emotions are complex mental states that are associated with feelings and behavior. They are believed to have evolved as a way for humans to adapt to their environment and to communicate with others. Over time, emotions have become more complex and diverse, with different types of emotions being associated with different situations and contexts.

One of the earliest examples of emotions in the history of feelings is the development of fear. Fear is a basic emotion that is associated with danger and threat. It is believed to have evolved as a way for humans to protect themselves from harm. Over time, fear has become more complex and diverse, with different types of fear being associated with different situations and contexts. For example, fear of heights is a common fear that is associated with the fear of falling.

Another important theme in the history of feelings is the development of love. Love is a complex emotion that is associated with feelings of attachment and intimacy. It is believed to have evolved as a way for humans to form relationships and to reproduce. Over time, love has become more complex and diverse, with different types of love being associated with different situations and contexts. For example, romantic love is a common type of love that is associated with feelings of passion and intimacy.

In addition to emotions, the history of feelings also includes the development of moods. Moods are short-term emotional states that are associated with feelings of happiness, sadness, and anger. They are believed to have evolved as a way for humans to regulate their emotions and to cope with stress. Over time, moods have become more complex and diverse, with different types of moods being associated with different situations and contexts. For example, depression is a common mood disorder that is associated with feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

The history of feelings has also been shaped by social and cultural factors. For example, the development of gender roles has had a significant impact on the way that men and women feel about themselves and others. In the past, men were often expected to be strong and dominant, while women were expected to be nurturing and submissive. This has led to a wide range of gender-based emotions and behaviors, including feelings of anger, jealousy, and insecurity.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of the history of feelings. This has led to a wide range of new research and discoveries. For example, researchers have discovered that emotions can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and social and cultural factors. They have also discovered that emotions can have a significant impact on our physical health and well-being.

One of the challenges that researchers face in the study of the history of feelings is the fact that emotions are subjective and difficult to measure. This has led to a wide range of different approaches to the study of emotions, including qualitative research, quantitative research, and neuroscience. Qualitative research involves the study of emotions through interviews, observations, and other forms of data collection. Quantitative research involves the use of statistical methods to measure emotions. Neuroscience involves the study of the brain and the way that emotions are processed.

Despite these challenges, the study of the history of feelings has had a significant impact on our understanding of ourselves and others. It has helped us to understand the ways in which our ancestors' experiences have influenced our own, and it has helped us to develop new strategies for managing our emotions and improving our physical health and well-being.

In conclusion, the history of feelings is a complex and multifaceted story that has been shaped by a wide range of factors, including social, cultural, and biological changes. Emotions are complex mental states that are associated with feelings and behavior, and they have evolved as a way for humans to adapt to their environment and to communicate with others. The development of emotions, love, moods, and gender roles has had a significant impact on the way that men and women feel about themselves and others, and it has led to a wide range of new research and discoveries. Despite these challenges, the study of the history of feelings has had a significant impact on our understanding of ourselves and others, and it has helped us to develop new strategies for managing our emotions and improving our physical health and well-being.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789140675