Emotional Lexicons

This cultural history explores the evolution of emotional terminology in German, French, and English encyclopedias since the late seventeenth century, revealing how societal views on emotions have shifted over time.

Emotional Lexicons offers a comprehensive cultural history of emotional terminology as documented in German, French, and English encyclopaedias since the late seventeenth century. The book explores the enduring presence of emotions in human experience and examines how societal perceptions of these feelings have evolved over time. By focusing on reference works that shaped the understanding of emotions among the educated middle classes, the author highlights the influence of literature on the conceptualization of emotional experiences.

The text delves into the normative frameworks established by encyclopaedias, which not only recorded shifting language practices but also conveyed moral perspectives and behavioral guidelines. These articles engaged with fundamental questions about the nature of emotions, such as their origins—whether they reside in the mind or body—and the extent to which we can interpret feelings through physical expressions. The book also addresses the emotional experiences of different groups, such as children versus adults, and the perceived differences in emotional expression between genders.

Ultimately, Emotional Lexicons seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the historical context surrounding emotional knowledge. By analyzing European discourses on affects, passions, sentiments, and emotions, the author enriches the contemporary conversation about emotions, emphasizing their connection to social, cultural, and political structures. This work does not aim to define emotions definitively but rather to illustrate the evolving meanings attached to them, encouraging readers to reflect on their own understanding of emotional experiences.