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Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. —John Milton
Today more than ever, the education doled out in classrooms is cold and cognitive. But, once outside, it is our uneducated emotions that move us, hold us back, and lead us astray. It is, at first and at last, our emotions that determine our choice of profession, partner, and politics, and our relation to money, sex, and religion. Nothing can make us feel more alive, or more human, than our emotions, or hurt us more. Yet many people lumber through life without giving full consideration to their emotions, partly because our empirical, materialistic culture does not encourage it or even make it seem possible, and partly because it requires unusual strength to gaze into the abyss of our deepest drives, needs, and fears. This book proposes to do just that, examining over 25 emotions ranging from lust to love and humility to humiliation, and drawing some useful and surprising conclusions along the way.
Reviews
Burton is never short of an interesting and sharp judgment. —Prof Peter Toohey, Psychology Today
Each of us spends maybe 15 years or more in formal education. We are taught mathematics, chemistry, geography, history, and so on, but at no point are we taught anything about the emotions. 'Heaven and Hell' helps to redress the balance by educating our emotions... The book reminds us of the power and significance of our emotions, and that their influence is all-too-often overlooked. Each of the 29 chapters focuses on a particular emotion and discusses its origin, historical aspects and philosophy. The impact of each emotion, both negative and positive, is then addressed. Essentially, in relatively few pages, the reader's existing perception of an emotion is challenged as he or she develops further insight and understanding. The book does what it sets out to it makes you stop and think... 'Heaven and Hell' focuses on a subject that is relevant to all. It enables and encourages us to think differently and challenges our understanding of emotions we experience but do not really think about... a fascinating read. — British Medical Association Book Awards
Today more than ever, the education doled out in classrooms is cold and cognitive. But, once outside, it is our uneducated emotions that move us, hold us back, and lead us astray. It is, at first and at last, our emotions that determine our choice of profession, partner, and politics, and our relation to money, sex, and religion. Nothing can make us feel more alive, or more human, than our emotions, or hurt us more. Yet many people lumber through life without giving full consideration to their emotions, partly because our empirical, materialistic culture does not encourage it or even make it seem possible, and partly because it requires unusual strength to gaze into the abyss of our deepest drives, needs, and fears. This book proposes to do just that, examining over 25 emotions ranging from lust to love and humility to humiliation, and drawing some useful and surprising conclusions along the way.
Reviews
Burton is never short of an interesting and sharp judgment. —Prof Peter Toohey, Psychology Today
Each of us spends maybe 15 years or more in formal education. We are taught mathematics, chemistry, geography, history, and so on, but at no point are we taught anything about the emotions. 'Heaven and Hell' helps to redress the balance by educating our emotions... The book reminds us of the power and significance of our emotions, and that their influence is all-too-often overlooked. Each of the 29 chapters focuses on a particular emotion and discusses its origin, historical aspects and philosophy. The impact of each emotion, both negative and positive, is then addressed. Essentially, in relatively few pages, the reader's existing perception of an emotion is challenged as he or she develops further insight and understanding. The book does what it sets out to it makes you stop and think... 'Heaven and Hell' focuses on a subject that is relevant to all. It enables and encourages us to think differently and challenges our understanding of emotions we experience but do not really think about... a fascinating read. — British Medical Association Book Awards
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
808 people are currently reading
4164 people want to read
About the author
Neel Burton
40 books259 followersDr Neel Burton is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College in the University of Oxford, and the winner of several book prizes including, the feather in his cap, a Best in the World Gourmand Award. His work features regularly in the likes of Aeon and Psychology Today and has been translated into several languages. When he is not reading or writing, or imbibing, he enjoys cooking, gardening, skiing, learning languages, visiting museums and gardens, and travelling, especially to wine regions.
His books include:
- The Meaning of Myth (Ancient Wisdom 1)
- Stoic Stories (Ancient Wisdom 2)
- The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle (Ancient Wisdom 3)
- The Meaning of Madness (Ataraxia 1)
- Hide and Seek: The Psychology of Self-Deception (Ataraxia 2)
- Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions (Ataraxia 3)
www.neelburton.com
His books include:
- The Meaning of Myth (Ancient Wisdom 1)
- Stoic Stories (Ancient Wisdom 2)
- The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle (Ancient Wisdom 3)
- The Meaning of Madness (Ataraxia 1)
- Hide and Seek: The Psychology of Self-Deception (Ataraxia 2)
- Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions (Ataraxia 3)
www.neelburton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 24, 2020
Emotions affect us every single second of our lives, yet we don't give them much thought. What is going on in the world right now has brought emotions right to the forefront as all of us are on a roller coaster of ups and downs due to the pandemic and all that has brought with it.
This book reminds us that emotions are an enormous part of our lives. Every day brings its own roller coaster, and any day can go from joyous to depressing.
Beyond the emotions that first come to mind, this book delves into emotions that we may be feeling but not recognize as such. The book covers these also, including (but not limited to): ecstasy, ambition, nostalgia, kissing, courage, envy, gratitude, greed, and laziness.
The author is a philosopher and a psychiatrist, which gives him insight into the areas of which he speaks. It was well written and quite interesting to read.
This book reminds us that emotions are an enormous part of our lives. Every day brings its own roller coaster, and any day can go from joyous to depressing.
Beyond the emotions that first come to mind, this book delves into emotions that we may be feeling but not recognize as such. The book covers these also, including (but not limited to): ecstasy, ambition, nostalgia, kissing, courage, envy, gratitude, greed, and laziness.
The author is a philosopher and a psychiatrist, which gives him insight into the areas of which he speaks. It was well written and quite interesting to read.
February 28, 2018
2/5
Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions is an examination by psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Neel Burton of a variety of human emotions. In his book, Burton details all sorts of facts from word etymology and philosophical discourse to how modern facets such as social media and technology affect our experiences today.
Unfortunately (for me, at least) the title of the novel was a bit misleading, as there wasn't much psychology discussed. Ultimately the text was much more philosophical than I would have cared for (I am someone who absolutely hated the required philosophy course at university); I would have much preferred for the author to take a more scientific or sociological stance, perhaps including social experiments or studies regarding and related to emotion.
The book was written well enough and professionally enough (although his chapter on depression seemed to unfairly criticize therapists and other behavioral health professionals, ironically enough), but the general tone and themes really weren't for me. Good quick read for someone who enjoys philosophy, however. 2/5 just due to enjoyment level.
An e-book was provided by Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions is an examination by psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Neel Burton of a variety of human emotions. In his book, Burton details all sorts of facts from word etymology and philosophical discourse to how modern facets such as social media and technology affect our experiences today.
Unfortunately (for me, at least) the title of the novel was a bit misleading, as there wasn't much psychology discussed. Ultimately the text was much more philosophical than I would have cared for (I am someone who absolutely hated the required philosophy course at university); I would have much preferred for the author to take a more scientific or sociological stance, perhaps including social experiments or studies regarding and related to emotion.
The book was written well enough and professionally enough (although his chapter on depression seemed to unfairly criticize therapists and other behavioral health professionals, ironically enough), but the general tone and themes really weren't for me. Good quick read for someone who enjoys philosophy, however. 2/5 just due to enjoyment level.
An e-book was provided by Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
January 16, 2020
Thought-provoking and insightful are the words I would use to describe this book. With 30 emotions explored, this is the go-to to book to understand our feelings, attitudes, behaviors and choices on a philosophical level.
July 13, 2022
Not worth the time to buy it.
September 8, 2015
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway.
To be honest, I am having quite the trouble finding the right words to review this book, so I will start just like the chapters in this book.
"You cannot open a book without learning something." - Confucius
I was lucky enough to study philosophy during my junior and senior year of high school in Germany and we were able to cover a lot of interesting parts about philosophy. Unfortunately emotions and their origins were not part of the curriculum. This book functioned as a great start.
There are 30 chapters and each chapter covers one emotion, from kissing, love, friendship to hope, anger and fear. Some chapters go more into depth then others, but at the same time you don't feel like you are missing out on information. Some emotions can be covered with little words, and instead of dragging an emotion on, the chapter comes to a rightful end.
I especially loved that the origins of almost every emotion were explained, so you could draw connections to already known things, which made it easier for me to understand each emotion in depth. At the same time, I enjoyed that each chapter began with a quote. This helped to set the theme of each chapter and emotion, so you knew what you were about to read (and I am also a sucker for quotes, poems and stories).
I learned so much from this book. I have so much information now and I don't really know what to do with it at this moment, but I am sure that everything that I learned will come in handy someday. During the two weeks of reading it, I already found myself thinking about passages from this book and validating them in my own mind.
Don't expect to understand everything that the author has written, some passages need additional information or pre-knowledge (which I partly had), so it can be confusing at first, but you will eventually get it.
Also don't expect to be an expert after finishing this book. Emotions are emotions and therefor can not be explained in 250 pages, I doubt that they can ever be fully understood, but this book is a great start to understand the philosophical and sometimes biblical view of emotions. For me, it was fun discovering our emotions and getting a stone into rolling in my mind. And that's all I can want from a book.
To be honest, I am having quite the trouble finding the right words to review this book, so I will start just like the chapters in this book.
"You cannot open a book without learning something." - Confucius
I was lucky enough to study philosophy during my junior and senior year of high school in Germany and we were able to cover a lot of interesting parts about philosophy. Unfortunately emotions and their origins were not part of the curriculum. This book functioned as a great start.
There are 30 chapters and each chapter covers one emotion, from kissing, love, friendship to hope, anger and fear. Some chapters go more into depth then others, but at the same time you don't feel like you are missing out on information. Some emotions can be covered with little words, and instead of dragging an emotion on, the chapter comes to a rightful end.
I especially loved that the origins of almost every emotion were explained, so you could draw connections to already known things, which made it easier for me to understand each emotion in depth. At the same time, I enjoyed that each chapter began with a quote. This helped to set the theme of each chapter and emotion, so you knew what you were about to read (and I am also a sucker for quotes, poems and stories).
I learned so much from this book. I have so much information now and I don't really know what to do with it at this moment, but I am sure that everything that I learned will come in handy someday. During the two weeks of reading it, I already found myself thinking about passages from this book and validating them in my own mind.
Don't expect to understand everything that the author has written, some passages need additional information or pre-knowledge (which I partly had), so it can be confusing at first, but you will eventually get it.
Also don't expect to be an expert after finishing this book. Emotions are emotions and therefor can not be explained in 250 pages, I doubt that they can ever be fully understood, but this book is a great start to understand the philosophical and sometimes biblical view of emotions. For me, it was fun discovering our emotions and getting a stone into rolling in my mind. And that's all I can want from a book.
December 15, 2017
Neel Burton dedica 29 capítulos a 29 emoções.
É uma abordagem extremamente interessante no que respeita a este assunto. No entanto, talvez tivesse sido mais feliz, aprofundar a matéria de algumas emoções em detrimento de outras...
P. 84- "How to tell lust and love apart? While lust is hasty, furtive, and deceitful, love is patient, measured, and constant. While lust is all about taking, love is all about sharing. While lust is all about using, love is all about building. Lust can lead to love, but it is a poor start and a poor basis, akin to choosing your favourite book by the picture on its cover."
P. 136- "(...) patience frees us from frustration and it ills, delivers us to the present moment, and affords us the calm and perspective to think, say, and do the right thing in the right way at the right time(...)"
É uma abordagem extremamente interessante no que respeita a este assunto. No entanto, talvez tivesse sido mais feliz, aprofundar a matéria de algumas emoções em detrimento de outras...
P. 84- "How to tell lust and love apart? While lust is hasty, furtive, and deceitful, love is patient, measured, and constant. While lust is all about taking, love is all about sharing. While lust is all about using, love is all about building. Lust can lead to love, but it is a poor start and a poor basis, akin to choosing your favourite book by the picture on its cover."
P. 136- "(...) patience frees us from frustration and it ills, delivers us to the present moment, and affords us the calm and perspective to think, say, and do the right thing in the right way at the right time(...)"
August 23, 2020
As a psychology major, I was very intrigued. However, while I loved reading about Burton's view on human emotions, there was more philosophy than actual psychology. I did like the way the book's chapters was broken up into different emotions, but unfortunately, I think the author would have been better able to go into in-depth discussions if he limited the emotions talked about to just a few. Overall, I found it an interesting view on emotions that contained well-thought out discussions, but I definitely wouldn't limit your reading on the subject to this book.
August 17, 2015
A book I won in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book looks at 29 different emotions such as boredom. laziness, etc. Each of these emotions are detailed in a chapter. The prologue is as the author said, heavy on psychiatric, analytic jargon. He even suggested the reader skip this section as it might be too hard for the average layman to understand.
Each chapter is short and heavy on philosophical analysis as well as psychiatric. It might have been better for the author to choose a few emotions and go into deeper depth about them.
This book looks at 29 different emotions such as boredom. laziness, etc. Each of these emotions are detailed in a chapter. The prologue is as the author said, heavy on psychiatric, analytic jargon. He even suggested the reader skip this section as it might be too hard for the average layman to understand.
Each chapter is short and heavy on philosophical analysis as well as psychiatric. It might have been better for the author to choose a few emotions and go into deeper depth about them.
February 4, 2026
2.75/5
***
Một cuốn sách khá thú vị về cảm xúc.
Thứ mà tác giả cố gắng truyền đạt là một cách tiếp cận cảm xúc khái quát và tổng thể hơn rất nhiều so với cách phân loại bình thường. Những cảm xúc ông giới thiệu trong sách rất rộng, từ buồn chán, cô đơn đến cười và ngây ngất.
Tuy nhiên, điểm yếu của cuốn này là nó khá là học thuật, chỉ nêu ra được một giới thiệu rất sơ sài và gợi mở về từng loại cảm xúc, chứ hoàn toàn chưa chạm đến được cảm xúc của người đọc, để có thể đọng lại một ấn tượng đủ sâu.
Đồng thời, phải nói là chất lượng bản dịch khá tệ. Mặc dù khá trân trọng dịch giả cùng nỗ lực dịch một cuốn nhiều khái niệm như thế này, nhưng có nhiều đoạn đọc lên cứ thấy sai sai, và không thể không nghi ngờ vốn từ cũng như khả năng chuyển ngữ của dịch giả.
Anyway, phần mình thích nhất là về cảm xúc ngây ngất kinh ngạc (wonder):
***
Một cuốn sách khá thú vị về cảm xúc.
Thứ mà tác giả cố gắng truyền đạt là một cách tiếp cận cảm xúc khái quát và tổng thể hơn rất nhiều so với cách phân loại bình thường. Những cảm xúc ông giới thiệu trong sách rất rộng, từ buồn chán, cô đơn đến cười và ngây ngất.
Tuy nhiên, điểm yếu của cuốn này là nó khá là học thuật, chỉ nêu ra được một giới thiệu rất sơ sài và gợi mở về từng loại cảm xúc, chứ hoàn toàn chưa chạm đến được cảm xúc của người đọc, để có thể đọng lại một ấn tượng đủ sâu.
Đồng thời, phải nói là chất lượng bản dịch khá tệ. Mặc dù khá trân trọng dịch giả cùng nỗ lực dịch một cuốn nhiều khái niệm như thế này, nhưng có nhiều đoạn đọc lên cứ thấy sai sai, và không thể không nghi ngờ vốn từ cũng như khả năng chuyển ngữ của dịch giả.
Anyway, phần mình thích nhất là về cảm xúc ngây ngất kinh ngạc (wonder):
“Giống Plato và những người khác, A.N. Whitehead lưu ý rằng: ‘Triết học bắt đầu trong kinh ngạc’ – thứ cảm xúc kinh ngạc kiểu Socrates, phát sinh từ những mâu thuẫn trong suy nghĩ và ngôn ngữ, và mời gọi chúng ta hoặc thậm chí là ép buộc ta, để tìm hiểu những mâu thuẫn này với hy vọng giải quyết chúng.
Trong cuốn Advancement of Learning, Francis Bacon đã gọi cảm xúc kinh ngạc trong suy nghĩ/tâm tưởng kiểu Socrates là ‘kiến thức tan vỡ’, và rõ ràng có ý rằng kinh ngạc (wonder) có thể cùng nguồn gốc với wunde (vết thương) trong tiếng Đức, nghĩa là xâm phạm và mở ta ra với bên ngoài …
Đáng buồn thay, nhiều người không chịu mở lòng để kinh ngạc (trong suy nghĩ và tâm tưởng), vì sợ rằng nó có thể gây tổn thương, sao nhãng và làm họ chệch hướng. Rốt cục, wonder bắt nguồn từ wunde, vết thương, và cũng rất gần với wander (sự lang thang vô định), đi lạc khỏi xã hội và các chuẩn mực và cấu trúc của nó, để ở 1 mình, để được tự do, tất nhiên là mang tính lật đổ …”
February 4, 2018
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway - so thank you.
Also, English is not my first language so feel free to correct any mistake I could possibly make while writing this review.
It's been years since I studied psychology and philosophy in high school, so it took me a while to find that mind-set and that concentration.
I think a pre-knowledge is due when reading this book and even if I had studied those subjects many years ago, I struggled nonetheless.
I had other expectations - I expected much more psychology and not so much philosophy.
I liked to discover the origin and the original meaning of every emotion and I still remembered Abraham Maslow, but I always had a controversial relationship with philosophy - that's why I struggled, because not everything made sense to me.
I mean, it had been difficult in my own language back when I was in high school, now it has been a battle altogether.
That said, it was interesting because I never questioned myself about the different shades and meanings of a single emotion - maybe we don't want to take our time to analyze them and to call them with their proper name.
Even if it wasn't exactly what I expected, it sure gave me something to think about.
Also, English is not my first language so feel free to correct any mistake I could possibly make while writing this review.
It's been years since I studied psychology and philosophy in high school, so it took me a while to find that mind-set and that concentration.
I think a pre-knowledge is due when reading this book and even if I had studied those subjects many years ago, I struggled nonetheless.
I had other expectations - I expected much more psychology and not so much philosophy.
I liked to discover the origin and the original meaning of every emotion and I still remembered Abraham Maslow, but I always had a controversial relationship with philosophy - that's why I struggled, because not everything made sense to me.
I mean, it had been difficult in my own language back when I was in high school, now it has been a battle altogether.
That said, it was interesting because I never questioned myself about the different shades and meanings of a single emotion - maybe we don't want to take our time to analyze them and to call them with their proper name.
Even if it wasn't exactly what I expected, it sure gave me something to think about.
February 23, 2020
A Deep Dive Into “Emotions”
I do love to read a book on occasion that gives me a mental workout, and this one certainly had my brain doing calisthenics! The author is clearly well read and a deep thinker. The Heaven and Hell of the title have to do with emotion, and how it can sink us down into depths and lift us up to heights. The author follows a progress of sorts, from boredom to ecstasy. His definition of emotion is somewhat loose, as he characterizes concepts like ambition and lust as emotions. Each emotion’s section as detailed in the book looks at the deep history of the concept, harkening back to the ancient Greeks and other historical writers to give a perspective on the emotion. Fascinating reading! This is a deep and weighty book, especially the introduction (which is particularly technical), so I recommend reading it in small doses so you do not over-fatigue your mind. I fear that could happen quite easily. But, oh, what a journey! If your mind is in need of a little exercise, this book will certainly fill the bill.
I received a free copy of this book, but I also purchased it; my review is affected by neither.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I do love to read a book on occasion that gives me a mental workout, and this one certainly had my brain doing calisthenics! The author is clearly well read and a deep thinker. The Heaven and Hell of the title have to do with emotion, and how it can sink us down into depths and lift us up to heights. The author follows a progress of sorts, from boredom to ecstasy. His definition of emotion is somewhat loose, as he characterizes concepts like ambition and lust as emotions. Each emotion’s section as detailed in the book looks at the deep history of the concept, harkening back to the ancient Greeks and other historical writers to give a perspective on the emotion. Fascinating reading! This is a deep and weighty book, especially the introduction (which is particularly technical), so I recommend reading it in small doses so you do not over-fatigue your mind. I fear that could happen quite easily. But, oh, what a journey! If your mind is in need of a little exercise, this book will certainly fill the bill.
I received a free copy of this book, but I also purchased it; my review is affected by neither.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
February 16, 2020
While not its intention, this book could easily serve as a layman's dictionary and mini-encyclopedia of our emotions.
The author combines a wide range of philosophical thinking throughout the ages with religious views and scientific studies to clearly explain and delineate our different emotions.
Understanding human emotions, and being able to differentiate diverse and varied emotional feelings, is paramount for anyone seeking greater self-knowledge and self-understanding. As Dr. Burton points out, "Nothing can make us feel more alive, or more human, than our emotions, or hurt us more."
Too often, in today's hectic 24/7 never-stop world, we react emotionally to situations, events, and people. Understanding our emotions as they occur puts us in a better position to control how we express our emotions and better enables us to respond rationally and cognitively. In this regards, the author has provided us all with a great reference book.
The author is obviously well-educated and has a wonderful ability to link, or contrast, divergent views and thinking on our emotional selves. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing and have already ordered another of his books to read.
The author combines a wide range of philosophical thinking throughout the ages with religious views and scientific studies to clearly explain and delineate our different emotions.
Understanding human emotions, and being able to differentiate diverse and varied emotional feelings, is paramount for anyone seeking greater self-knowledge and self-understanding. As Dr. Burton points out, "Nothing can make us feel more alive, or more human, than our emotions, or hurt us more."
Too often, in today's hectic 24/7 never-stop world, we react emotionally to situations, events, and people. Understanding our emotions as they occur puts us in a better position to control how we express our emotions and better enables us to respond rationally and cognitively. In this regards, the author has provided us all with a great reference book.
The author is obviously well-educated and has a wonderful ability to link, or contrast, divergent views and thinking on our emotional selves. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing and have already ordered another of his books to read.
May 1, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Acheron Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In each chapter of Heaven and Hell, Neel Burton breaks down an emotion in it's entirety; the meaning of the word, some history and why we might feel or behave this way.
I very much enjoyed this read. It's definitely very philosophical so that is something to be aware of if that is typically not your preference. I have always loved reading about psychology, how the brain works and why humans do the things they do. This book is proof that we are complex creatures, and behaviors and emotions that seem simple to understand are not always so--sometimes the reason for us doing specific things don't even seem to follow a trend line until fully explained. This was eyeopening for me and it definitely challenged me to think. Certain chapters even made me aware of my own behaviors and it gave me things to reflect on.
In each chapter of Heaven and Hell, Neel Burton breaks down an emotion in it's entirety; the meaning of the word, some history and why we might feel or behave this way.
I very much enjoyed this read. It's definitely very philosophical so that is something to be aware of if that is typically not your preference. I have always loved reading about psychology, how the brain works and why humans do the things they do. This book is proof that we are complex creatures, and behaviors and emotions that seem simple to understand are not always so--sometimes the reason for us doing specific things don't even seem to follow a trend line until fully explained. This was eyeopening for me and it definitely challenged me to think. Certain chapters even made me aware of my own behaviors and it gave me things to reflect on.
January 16, 2020
A new author for me and I expected this book to be more of an introspective- self help to find yourself kind of a book, it isn’t. I don’t think this book is for the light hearted. It is a mixture of Greek Philosophy, Christianity et all with a self help theme. It’s not to say that I found some areas interesting, I did but I simply am not as enthusiastic as some of the other reviewers. There are many ideas and descriptions about human psychology and behaviour which I found almost text book compared to an easy read. I am torn about this book. Maybe it is more that the book was completely not what I expected at all. I think the title is misleading. Either way, it felt more like this belonged as required reading in Psychology 101, than a pleasure read which makes my review nether for or against.
July 15, 2020
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review. Previously, I had reviewed another title from this author, Hypersanity, which was kind of all over the place. Deciding to give his writing another shot I signed on to review this title. While Heaven and Hell was a better read, it, at times, felt like a lengthy vocabulary lesson rather than psychology book. Some of the tidbits of philosophy made for an interesting read. However, I can't say that I would recommend this book overall.
August 14, 2020
Extraordinary breadth
This is a very cool book. A huge list of emotions with an eclectic mix of references, many spiritual. Some of the subjects warranted greater depth but that would have changed the rhythm of the book. Where the book is at its best is when it veers into the philosophical. There are extraordinary snippets of wisdom and flashes of real brilliance. The book has inspired me to buy more by the author and I hope to be equally awed by the breadth of knowledge on display
This is a very cool book. A huge list of emotions with an eclectic mix of references, many spiritual. Some of the subjects warranted greater depth but that would have changed the rhythm of the book. Where the book is at its best is when it veers into the philosophical. There are extraordinary snippets of wisdom and flashes of real brilliance. The book has inspired me to buy more by the author and I hope to be equally awed by the breadth of knowledge on display
August 15, 2024
Một lựa chọn khác lạ so với mình của mọi khi. Cuốn sách mô tả 26 loại cảm xúc cụ thể với cách trình bày khá mạch lạc, dễ nắm bắt. Mình cũng khá ưng ý phần dịch vì nó không hề khô khan, học thuật.
Cảm xúc cuối cùng mà tác giả nhắc đến là "Ngây ngất", và đây cũng chính là cảm xúc/trạng thái mà mình yêu thích nhất: "Ngây ngất - ecstasy, nghĩa đen là 'thoát xác hoặc đứng bên ngoài chính mình'... đặc điểm... là sự xoá bỏ các ranh giới, với cái tôi sáp nhập vào tất cả các hiện hữu khác... Nói như Balzac, con người chết trong tuyệt vọng còn linh hồn chết trong ngây ngất".
Cảm xúc cuối cùng mà tác giả nhắc đến là "Ngây ngất", và đây cũng chính là cảm xúc/trạng thái mà mình yêu thích nhất: "Ngây ngất - ecstasy, nghĩa đen là 'thoát xác hoặc đứng bên ngoài chính mình'... đặc điểm... là sự xoá bỏ các ranh giới, với cái tôi sáp nhập vào tất cả các hiện hữu khác... Nói như Balzac, con người chết trong tuyệt vọng còn linh hồn chết trong ngây ngất".
May 8, 2018
Enlightening.
A good book, though maybe improperly named. It explains the emotions in conjunction with philosophy and only occasionally crosses into realm of psychology. Because it is written in textbook format, it is a little dry. Not exactly a pleasure read. But I came out on the other side of it more enlightened than when I started.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The review is my own and unsolicited.
A good book, though maybe improperly named. It explains the emotions in conjunction with philosophy and only occasionally crosses into realm of psychology. Because it is written in textbook format, it is a little dry. Not exactly a pleasure read. But I came out on the other side of it more enlightened than when I started.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The review is my own and unsolicited.
May 31, 2018
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I will used this book in the future as reference material when I want to think about the finer points of different emotions. I appreciated the detailed analysis the author undertook in describing the distinctions between emotions and feelings. However, I would have benefited from more of a roadmap on the building blocks of emotions or the interconnectedness. The order of the discussion did not have a logical flow to me.
February 26, 2018
I received this ebook through Goodreads Giveaways.
I found this book to be a well researched presentation of emotions. I like the combination of science, psychiatry, philosophy and spirituality. I wish this would have been available when I was doing my graduate work in psychology. It isn't as dry as the textbooks. Well done.
I found this book to be a well researched presentation of emotions. I like the combination of science, psychiatry, philosophy and spirituality. I wish this would have been available when I was doing my graduate work in psychology. It isn't as dry as the textbooks. Well done.
April 2, 2020
Interesting
I found parts of this book to be insightful for me, parts of it deep and illuminating, parts of it almost dull and dreary, and parts left me indifferent. It must have been a rough day. So all in all, because of those parts I found so good, I'll call this book interesting. I'm glad I read it for those parts.
I found parts of this book to be insightful for me, parts of it deep and illuminating, parts of it almost dull and dreary, and parts left me indifferent. It must have been a rough day. So all in all, because of those parts I found so good, I'll call this book interesting. I'm glad I read it for those parts.
August 9, 2020
Just brilliant
I saw this book and was immediately interested as I do like
to read books on philiosophy andp sychology.This book did not disappoint and I have downloaded a lot more of Dr Neel Burton's books. I found this book very thought provoking and I like the way he used Greek stories,in some cases fables and mythology to enrich the story. Hugely enjoyable.
I saw this book and was immediately interested as I do like
to read books on philiosophy andp sychology.This book did not disappoint and I have downloaded a lot more of Dr Neel Burton's books. I found this book very thought provoking and I like the way he used Greek stories,in some cases fables and mythology to enrich the story. Hugely enjoyable.
August 18, 2020
I may be the minority here but I couldn’t even get through the whole book. The information seemed so scattered and never really to the point. I couldn’t even tell you what the purpose of the book even is....are emotions good or bad? Good thing this was a free book because now I don’t feel bad not finishing it
August 7, 2021
I read this book expecting psychology but was surprised with the philosophy of emotions, it was a pleasant surprise though. I was introduced to a different perspective and, therefore, a deeper understanding of emotions. This book has inspired me to think more about my and others' emotions and to look into how these concepts have developed over time. I'd really recommend this book!
February 21, 2018
whoa talk about getting in touch with your emotions, I learned alot from this book.
I thought the research was great and a lot touched home.
thank you good reads for the free kindle book.
Cherie'
I thought the research was great and a lot touched home.
thank you good reads for the free kindle book.
Cherie'
February 4, 2020
I loved this book it covered alot of topics from depression, forgiveness and to love. Although i didn't understand most of the things that was said like Plato this book was helpful. i give it four stars and i thank Netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2020
unable to find it to read
April 9, 2020
Boring and only listed definitions of the emotions or character traits and includes references to back it up but is not a self help or even interesting book.
June 16, 2020
5 stars is not wrong when his books help so many. I have listened to the audio book twice and I felt confident pursuing my endeavours.
August 1, 2020
Haha. Someone likes to spew words without saying anything. A piehole spew with no pertinent news. Waste of any normal persons time.
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