Alchemies of the Mind: Rationality and the Emotions

Description

Jon Elster has written a comprehensive, wide-ranging book on the emotions in which he considers the full range of theoretical approaches. Drawing on history, literature, philosophy and psychology Elster presents a complete account of the role of the emotions in human behavior. Combining methodological and theoretical arguments with empirical case studies and written with Elster's customary verve and economy, this book will have a broad appeal to those in philosophy, psychology, economics, political science, as well as literary studies, history, and sociology.

'The book is exceptionally insightful, and it achieves a remarkable synthesis of divergent bodies of literature that perhaps no one else could have accomplished.' Alfred Mele, Davidson College 'This book will undoubtedly find a wide readership, not only among the fans of Elster's previous work, but among the growing number of specialists in various fields who have become captivated by the theory of emotion.' Ronald de Sousa, University of Toronto 'Gives much pleasure and instruction.' London Review of Books