Hanna Pickard (University of Birmingham): "Stop Telling Me How to Feel! A Clinical Theory of Emotions and What's Wrong with the Moralization of Feelings"

Date
Feb 28, 2018, 4:30 pm6:00 pm
Location
Lewis Library, Room 138

Details

Event Description

ABSTRACT: Drawing on clinical practice with patients whose symptoms include “inappropriate” emotions and actions that cause harm, I argue for two related but distinct claims. First, that our common practice of morally reprimanding and criticizing people for their emotions is unfounded. Second, that moralism about the emotions – understood as the claim that there is an intrinsically morally right and wrong way to feel – is false. Time permitting, I will explore the significance of these claims for theories of moral responsibility that appeal to the reactive attitudes.      

 

BIO: Hanna Pickard is Professor in Philosophy of Psychology at the University of Birmingham, UK and a Visiting Research Scholar in the Program of Cognitive Science, Princeton University 2017-19. In addition to her academic work, from 2007-17 she worked in a Therapeutic Community for people with personality and related disorders. Website: www.hannapickard.com.

Chair: Elizabeth Harman
Respondent: Monique Wonderly