Emotion, emotions

Etymology: affective movement (coming as a reaction).

The same word can designate an emotion or feeling depending on whether it is experienced as a sudden affective state, accompanied by physiological changes, or whether it is experienced as a stable affective state, without sudden physiological reactions.

2. Broader definition, proposed in a peace education approach:
Sudden and temporary affective movements, in reaction to an event, a human interaction or a thought, accompanied by physiological changes (heart, pulse, breathing, temperature, sweating, crying, laughter, tension, relaxation,…),
which move away from or approach an affective state of balance, serenity, fullness, well-being, momentum.

1. Emotions and state of equilibrium
   This broad definition assumes that a person’s usual state is generally one of equilibrium. The occurrence of an emotion tends to move them away from this equilibrium. The reception of other emotions may enable them to return to their state of equilibrium. It therefore focuses on the state of equilibrium, considered as a serene, desirable and habitual state, then the disruption of this equilibrium – by the occurrence of emotions generated by events, human interactions or thoughts, followed by the return to this equilibrium – by the welcoming of emotions that bring well-being, that soothe, generated by other events, interactions or thoughts.

   It aims to bring out the different positive emotions: those that bring well-being, calm, or pull upwards, as opposed to negative emotions: those that bring discomfort, disturb, stir up or pull downwards.
    

2. Positive emotions, negative emotions
   The search for peace (inner peace, peaceful relationships, living well together) involves taking an interest in all emotions: not just those perceived as destabilizing or depressing (negative emotions), but also the positive ones that can bring calm, balance, serenity, fullness and vitality – in human, social and collective relationships, and within oneself.

3. Categories of emotions in terms of human and social relationships
   From this perspective, it is interesting to group emotions according to whether they concern relationships with oneself or with others, associating those that bring us closer to a state of equilibrium with those that disrupt it:

   Affective movements relating to oneself

   – Emotions that move away from or towards an inner affective state of equanimity, serenity, well-being
   (anger, agitation, fear, anxiety, frustration,…/ calm, tranquility, placidity, detachment,…)

   – Emotions that reflect a loss or gain of momentum, motivation, fulfillment, personal contentment
   (sadness, shame, disenchantment, dejection, blockage…/ joy, pride, delight, exaltation, liberation…).

   Affective movements relating to others

   – Emotions which express a movement away from or towards the other
   (rejection, repulsion, denial, hatred,… / welcome, attraction, reconciliation, love,…)

   – Emotions and loss of emotions which express a revival or loss of impetus for the other
   (consideration, sympathy, empathy,…/ indifference, insensitivity, apathy,…).

Note:
The psychological approach emphasizes the distinction between basic emotions and complex emotions.
This classification is of little use in cultivating peaceful relationships. Nor does it lead to unanimity among researchers as to which emotions should be classified as simple or complex. It emphasizes the so-called simple emotions (joy, surprise, anger, sadness, fear, etc.) often to the detriment of the many other emotions (over a hundred or more), for example, shame, jealousy, dejection, blocking, agitation, etc., and benevolence, compassion, exaltation, liberation, tranquility, zeal, etc.