Sara Ahmed - The Cultural Politics of Emotion (2004)-1-25
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Title: The Cultural Politics of Emotion
Author: Sara Ahmed
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
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Copyright Information
© Sara Ahmed, 2004
ISBN details:
Hardback: 0 7486 1846 5
Paperback: 0 7486 1847 3
Printed in Great Britain
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Contents Overview
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction: Feel Your Way 1
Chapters:
The Contingency of Pain 20
The Organisation of Hate 42
The Affective Politics of Fear 62
The Performativity of Disgust 82
Shame Before Others 101
In the Name of Love 122
Queer Feelings 144
Feminist Attachments 168
Conclusion: Just Emotions 191
References 204
Index 217
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Acknowledgements
Written during tenure as director of the Institute for Women's Studies, Lancaster University
Acknowledges colleagues and contributions from various individuals and institutions including:
Jackie Stacey, Lauren Berlant, Yuko Ogawo, etc.
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Additional Acknowledgements
Thanks to publishers for reprinting permissions
Mentions published works that preceded this book
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(Empty Page)
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Introduction: Feel Your Way
Discusses the perception of illegal immigrants in the UK as a societal issue.
Explores how emotions shape national identity and constructs of 'us' vs. 'them'.
Introduces the concept of 'having' as a national attribute
Analyzes public narratives that invoke collective feelings and feelings of territory
The emotional dynamic between 'you' as a taxpayer and the perceived actions of 'others'
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Narrative of Vulnerability
Examines how narratives frame the white national identity
Connects familial and historical ties to nationalist constructs, particularly in the British National Front discourse
Discusses the metaphors of 'soft touch' as representing vulnerability in nationhood
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Concept of Softness vs. Hardness
Discusses the implications of being a 'soft touch' nation
Softness viewed as emotional susceptibility
Hardness represents national resilience against perceived threats
Gender implications of national identities represented through emotional constructs
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Traditional Views on Emotion
Historical views of emotions often frame them as inferior to thought
Discusses Darwin’s interpretation of emotionality in the context of evolution and civilization
Highlights the tension between emotionality and perceived rationality in societal norms
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Bodily Sensation and Emotion
Explores the interplay between sensations, cognition, and emotions
Examines the distinctions between bodily sensations and cognitive assessments of emotions
Engages with Descartes and their insights into the relationship between emotion and physical response
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Impressions and Emotions
Investigates how emotions shape our perceptions of objects and events
Highlights the process of forming impressions that intertwine cognition and emotion
Discusses the relationality of emotions and contact with others
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Emotions in Phenomenology
Examines the notion of intentionality in emotions
Discusses how emotions are shaped by interactions with objects
Explores the implications of emotions beyond individual experiences toward collective implications
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Circulation of Emotions
Introduces the idea of emotionality as circulating between individuals and society
Highlights how emotions contribute to the shaping of individual and collective identities
Explores attachment through emotional movement and contact
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Critique of Inside-Out Model
Rejects traditional notions that emotions come strictly from within the individual
Proposes the sociological perspective that emotions are socially constructed and publically displayed
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Emotion as Social Form
Durkheim’s perspective on emotions in social contexts
Emphasizes that emotions help bind social structures
Critiques both 'inside out' and 'outside in' models for assuming rigid separations
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Emotions Creating Boundaries
Explores how emotions construct personal and social boundaries
Proposes that emotions are fundamental in defining individual and collective identities
Argues for an understanding of emotions that transcends traditional categorizations
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Theoretical Perspectives on Emotion
Maintains that the movement and circulation of emotions are key in understanding emotional economies
Draws on Marxist and psychoanalytic frameworks to explain emotional attachments
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Textual Analysis of Emotion
Emphasizes the significance of texts in conveying emotions
Explores the use of metaphor and language in shaping emotional narratives
Discusses how texts perform emotionality and societal implications
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Archive of Emotions
Positions the author's archive as a contact zone for emotional engagement
Explores how different texts interact with emotional responses and narratives
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Analysis of Pain
Begins to discuss pain as a fundamental bodily sensation
Emphasizes the public narratives shaping the experience of pain
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Hate and Emotional Economy
Discusses how hate can be oriented towards others as a response to perceived injury
Examines hate crimes and the language surrounding them
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Various Emotions in Context
Covers the emotional dynamics of fear, love, shame, and disgust
Emphasizes their impact on provincial and collective identities
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Conclusion on Emotional Dynamics
Recognizes the complexities of emotions in establishing social bonds and conflicts
Advocates for an understanding of emotional contexts in fostering change
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Final Remarks on the Role of Emotions
Reiterates that emotions serve a significant role in society, without being the sole focus of change
Discusses the importance of tracking emotions in exploring societal dynamics.