Emotion and Imagination

This book is more slanted towards moral psychology rather than the nature of emotions as such, arguing for the close connection between emotion and imagination, even in everyday instances where we conjure up alternative representations, especially in trying to decide a course of action or resolve a challenge. The author usefully keeps mood and emotion distinct, characterising emotion by a certain form of inner pressure. The second part brings up vile emotions and discusses imagining various points of view. He coins the word 'memotions' for moral emotions, discussing their variety and multiple points of view. The last part explores families of emotions, for instance shame, regret, embarrassment and remorse. There is a particularly good discussion of smugness as one of the dangers of people who think of themselves as moral. People may disapprove not only of your actions, but also your accompanying moral emotions. The author sees the other side of smugness as self-respect and decency – the first seen from the outside and the second from the inside. Ultimately, imaginative skill means not only understanding how things seem from others' points of view but also points of view these others are imagining and structuring their emotions around, which entails imagining their imagination.