Feeling Together and Caring with One Another

More about the book

This book explores the human capacity for joint feeling, addressing how we share episodes of collective affective intentionality. It argues that this ability is rooted in our fundamental human condition: the capacity to care together about specific concerns. The author provides a phenomenological account of collective affective intentionality, emphasizing that feelings are central to our emotional connection with the world. A form of group emotional orientation is detailed, highlighting that participants share common concerns and a unique mode of caring. At the core of these collective episodes lies not just shared interests but also a specific way of caring that reflects our nature. The work suggests that the emotions involved in moments of affective intentional community reveal our essence. Furthermore, it sheds light on the relationship between two philosophical perspectives: the view that we are inherently social beings and the notion that our personal existence matters. By elucidating our ability to feel together, the book offers a comprehensive account of how we express our humanity through joint caring.