According to some philosophers, formal objects are axiological properties related to emotions.
In the context of the philosophy of emotions, a formal object, according to some philosophers, refers to axiological properties which individuate emotions, make them intelligible and give their correctness conditions.
Understanding the Role of Formal Objects
Based on this perspective, formal objects play several key roles in relation to emotions:
- Individuation: They help distinguish one type of emotion from another. For instance, what makes fear distinct from anger might be the specific axiological property it relates to (e.g., danger for fear, offense for anger).
- Intelligibility: Formal objects make emotions understandable. Knowing the formal object of an emotion helps explain why someone feels that emotion in a particular situation. It provides the reason or ground for the emotion.
- Correctness Conditions: They provide the criteria for whether an emotion is appropriate or fitting. An emotion is considered correct or incorrect based on whether its formal object (the relevant axiological property) is genuinely present in the situation being evaluated. For example, fear is correct if there is actual danger.
This definition and the roles described are based on the view held by certain philosophers studying the nature and structure of emotions.
