Full Idea
In narratives the different elements of an emotion are conceived of as all being part of the same emotion, in spite of its complex, episodic and dynamic features. Verbs expressing emotions don not use continuous tenses, such as 'he is being in love'.
Gist of Idea
A long lasting and evolving emotion is still seen as a single emotion, such as love
Source
Peter Goldie (The Emotions [2000], 2 'What')
Book Reference
Goldie,Peter: 'The Emotions' [OUP 2002], p.13
A Reaction
Goldie is keen on seeing emotions as part of a life narrative. An intriguing problem for the metaphysics of identity. If someone's love for a person comes and goes, is it the same love each time?