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Single Idea 4313

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 3. Emotions / e. Basic emotions]

Full Idea

Descartes says there are six primary passions (wonder, love, hatred, desire, joy and sadness); Spinoza says there are just three (joy, sadness and desire).

Gist of Idea

Are there a few primary passions (say, joy, sadness and desire)?

Source

report of René Descartes (The Passions of the Soul [1649]) by John Cottingham - The Rationalists p.172

Book Reference

Cottingham,John: 'The Rationalists' [OUP 1988], p.172


A Reaction

A dubious project. However, it is now agreed that there are a few (six?) basic universal facial expressions, to which these passions may correspond.