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On Feeling Good

Lieve Van Hoof

in Plutarch's Practical Ethics: The Social Dynamics of Philosophy

This chapter deals with Plutarch's On Feeling Good, which presents itself as a letter written by Plutarch, who characterizes himself as a philosopher, at the demand of a publicly active man. As this ... More

This chapter deals with Plutarch's On Feeling Good, which presents itself as a letter written by Plutarch, who characterizes himself as a philosopher, at the demand of a publicly active man. As this chapter shows, Plutarch and his addressee are both dramatic characters designed to guide the reader's responses. In contrast to what other philosophers suggest, Plutarch does not encourage Paccius to give up public activity if he is to achieve well-being, nor to devote himself to studying philosophical intricacies: the help he offers him in this practical ethical text will be enough. This advice was tailor-made for Plutarch's target readers, who often placed a high value on involvement in society, yet it also had the advantage of reserving the role of philosopher exclusively for Plutarch himself.Less

On Exile

Lieve Van Hoof

in Plutarch's Practical Ethics: The Social Dynamics of Philosophy

This chapter is, as it were, the counterpart of On Feeling Good: in a kind of open letter, Plutarch here teaches that exclusion from politics does not have to lead to unhappiness. It is noteworthy, ... More

This chapter is, as it were, the counterpart of On Feeling Good: in a kind of open letter, Plutarch here teaches that exclusion from politics does not have to lead to unhappiness. It is noteworthy, in this respect, that Plutarch exploited the theme of exile not, as other authors did, to discuss philosophy, but to discuss politics: he explicitly refuses to see exile as a turning point at which to opt for a philosophical life. At first sight, this is an altruistic project offering comfort to a man attached to politics with its concomitant honour and fame. Yet careful examination shows that Plutarch may be promoting his own life as well: if he did not make the same political career as some of his readers, he uses On Exile to present that as a sign not of weakness but of strength.Less

The Surrealism of Virtual Band Gorillaz: “Clint Eastwood” and “Feel Good Inc.”

John Richardson

in An Eye for Music: Popular Music and the Audiovisual Surreal

This chapter discusses audiovisual performances by Gorillaz, a cartoon band formed by the pop musician Damon Albarn and the cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, The first study approaches the hit song Clint ... More

This chapter discusses audiovisual performances by Gorillaz, a cartoon band formed by the pop musician Damon Albarn and the cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, The first study approaches the hit song Clint Eastwood form narratological and phenomenological angles in light of the group's heavily publicized media-critical agenda. Issues of originality and artistry are broached in a second case study on the music video, Feel Good Inc. Concerning Gorillaz’ anonymous mediated performances, Manuel Castell's notion of “real virtuality” and Katherine Hayles’ idea of “embodied virtuality” are offered in preference to Baudrillard's “hyperreality” and “simulacra” as a means of addressing the materiality of mediated performances. Criticism of the group has claimed that their performances resemble the media realities their work parodies to such an extent that any critical content is bound to compromised. A core argument is that when it comes to representations of the virtual, without mimesis there can be no effective critique.Less

The Nordic ‘Quirky Feel-Good’

Ellen Rees

in Nordic Genre Film: Small Nation Film Cultures in the Global Marketplace

In this chapter I want to propose the ‘quirky feel-good’ as a particular Nordic film genre. What exactly is meant by the term ‘feel-good’ is poorly defined within film studies, and it is often used ... More

In this chapter I want to propose the ‘quirky feel-good’ as a particular Nordic film genre. What exactly is meant by the term ‘feel-good’ is poorly defined within film studies, and it is often used to dismiss superficial films that lack intellectual or emotional depth. Yet as Mette Hjort suggests in her booklength study of Lone Scherfig’s Italiensk for begyndere (Italian for Beginners, 2000) – itself perhaps the most widely recognised example of what I am calling the Nordic quirky feel-good – a film that makes its viewers feel good does not preclude it from having significant depth. Hjort proposes the term ‘ethical feel-good’ as a genre delineation for Italian for Beginners, but I think such a term underplays the importance of humour. As I see it, generally speaking a ‘feel-good’ is a film that combines drama with comic effects in order to establish emotional connections between viewers and characters, and among characters, rather than simply to generate laughter or for the purposes of ridicule. A feel-good will thus by definition have an ethos that emphasises emotional connections.Less

Introduction

David Pugmire

in Sound Sentiments: Integrity in the Emotions

The valuational attitudes in emotions are compelling. Yet there are ways in which these themselves invite evaluation. Emotions can have or lack soundness in ways that go beyond just being appropriate ... More

The valuational attitudes in emotions are compelling. Yet there are ways in which these themselves invite evaluation. Emotions can have or lack soundness in ways that go beyond just being appropriate or inappropriate. And the strengths and weaknesses of which the emotional life is capable may be a function of the ambient culture. Emotion is not just down to the individual.Less

Physically active lifestyles and well-being

Stuart J.H. Biddle and Panteleimon Ekkekakis

in The Science of Well-Being

In this chapter, the benefits of a physically active lifestyle are linked to positive mental health. Through behavioural epidemiology, evidence that physical activity can contribute to positive ... More

In this chapter, the benefits of a physically active lifestyle are linked to positive mental health. Through behavioural epidemiology, evidence that physical activity can contribute to positive well-being and prevent disease is examined, along with the ‘feel-good factor’ or the psychological benefits that people derive from being physically active. The results of recent studies on the underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effects of physical activity are discussed, complemented by an examination of factors affecting a person's inclination towards a physically active or a sedentary lifestyle. The health benefits of habitual and sporadic physical activity are also contrasted. A section provides examples of successful interventions at the individual or societal level. The remainder of the chapter discusses potential future developments and challenges in the study of physical activity and its benefits which may help in the development of more effective interventions to improve the life and health of many people.Less

Post-Script: The ‘Counter-Realism’ Code of Institutional Constraint

Martin Sohn-Rethel

in Real to Reel: A New Approach to Understanding Realism in Film and TV Fiction

This chapter reflects on the 'counter-realism' code of institutional constraint. In terms of audience understandings, the 'counter-realist' code of institutional constraint is engaged, for example, ... More

This chapter reflects on the 'counter-realism' code of institutional constraint. In terms of audience understandings, the 'counter-realist' code of institutional constraint is engaged, for example, when spectators assure themselves that a lead character cannot die before the last reel — precisely because they are played by a highly paid star. For producers, the code implies that the profit principle militates in favour of rounded stories with feel-good endings and against films where film makers forsake the safe and familiar and take audiences into new territory. The 'true story' genre seems to provide a firm basis for debating the effects of 'institutional constraint' on realism and truth. The chapter then considers a pair of 'true story' films: In The Name Of The Father (Jim Sheridan, 1993) and Erin Brokovich (Steven Soderbergh, 2000).Less

“Feels Good”/“Let Me Play with It”: Hartman’s Heart Breakers Bluebird B-6481

Tony Russell

in Rural Rhythm: The Story of Old-Time Country Music in 78 Records

This chapter discusses Heartman’s Heart Breakers, “Feels Good”, “Let Me Play with It”, sexual metaphor, stringband, female musicians, Bluebird Records, and Eli Oberstein

The Biology Behind the Feeling: The Neuroscience of Explanation

J.D. Trout

in Wondrous Truths: The Improbable Triumph of Modern Science

Some of the most elevating experiences of mental life get their start in the moist circuitry of the brain. Insight and understanding may seem like lofty endeavors, but there is a gritty biology ... More

Some of the most elevating experiences of mental life get their start in the moist circuitry of the brain. Insight and understanding may seem like lofty endeavors, but there is a gritty biology roiling beneath that “Aha” of insight, or that good feeling of explanation. In humans, it is rooted in the reward cycle, heavily recruited for learning. Unfortunately, when it is difficult to trace the source of our success and failure, that good feeling arises when we are wrong as often as when we are right. Unlike the honeybee and newt, humans are capable of deliberate, self-guided action. We can adopt metacognitive strategies to overcome simple explanations when they tempt us with a cheap reward. Sometimes the best explanation is not the most pleasant. And this is what makes it so hard to track truth using the feeling of explanation.Less