The human heart is, in many ways, an indecipherable enigma. The opposition of reason and passion has long prevented us from recognizing emotions and feelings as legitimate sources of knowledge. This book takes a deep dive into the rich phenomenology of affect, with a view to uncovering its essence and variety of forms: the experience of being “invaded” by an emotion is different to that of being “immersed” in a mood, just as being “guided” by a feeling does not mean being “swept away” by a passionate impulse. Hence the need for a systematic phenomenology of emotionality that can help us to appreciate such distinctions. The philosophical and pedagogical trajectory outlined in these pages provides education and healthcare practitioners – and indeed all those willing to improve their self-knowledge – with the key to a deeper understanding of the emotional life and its meaning for our existence.

This book is a sociological analysis of the relationship between modern society, in particular America, and Calvinism in the Weberian tradition. While the book continues this tradition, it further expands, elaborates on, and goes beyond earlier sociological analyses. The book examines the impact of Calvinism on modern society as a whole, thus extending, elaborating on, and going beyond the previous analyses of the influence of the Calvinist religion only on the capitalist economy. It analyzes how Calvinism has determined most contemporary social institutions, including political, civic, cultural, and economic, in its respective societies, particularly, through its derivative Puritanism, America. For that purpose, the book applies the idea of the destiny of societies or nations to American society in particular. It argues, demonstrates, and illustrates the Calvinist societal "predestination," through the Puritan determination, of American society .

Emotion and the Seduction of the Senses, Baroque to Neo-Baroque examines the relationship between the cultural productions of the baroque in the seventeenth century and the neo-baroque in our contemporary world. The volume illuminates how, rather than providing rationally ordered visual realms, both the baroque and the neo-baroque construct complex performative spaces whose spectacle seeks to embrace, immerse, and seduce the senses and solicit the emotions of the beholder.

This book attempts to explain why the religious radicalism of the sixties gave way to the conservatism of the seventies.

Craziness and Carnival in Neo-Noir Chinese Cinema offers an in-depth discussion of the “stone phenomenon” in Chinese film production and cinematic discourses triggered by the extraordinary success of the 2006 low-budget film, Crazy Stone. Surveying the nuanced implications of the film noir genre, Harry Kuoshu argues that global neo noir maintains a mediascape of references, borrowings, and re-workings and explores various social and cultural issues that constitute this Chinese episode of neo noir. Combining literary explorations of carnival, postmodernism, and post-socialism, Kuoshu advocates for neo noir as a cultural phenomenon that connects filmmakers, film critics, and film audiences rather than an industrial genre.

The Mediaeval Mind (Volume 1 of 2) by Henry Osborn Taylor: In this scholarly work, Henry Osborn Taylor delves into the intellectual and cultural landscape of the medieval period. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of medieval thought, philosophy, religion, and society, providing insights into the worldview and beliefs of this pivotal era in history. Key Aspects of the Book "The Mediaeval Mind (Volume 1 of 2)": Medieval Thought and Philosophy: The book examines the prevailing ideas and philosophical frameworks that shaped medieval thinking. Religion and Spirituality: Taylor delves into the role of religion and spirituality in medieval life, exploring the influence of Christianity and other belief systems. Historical Context: "The Mediaeval Mind" places the medieval period within its historical context, shedding light on the social, political, and cultural developments of the time. Henry Osborn Taylor was an American historian and educator born in 1856. He was renowned for his research and writings on medieval history and culture. "The Mediaeval Mind (Volume 1 of 2)" showcases Taylor's expertise in medieval studies and his dedication to unraveling the complexities of the medieval era.