The origin and definition of [emotion]

Etymology: from the Latin ''movere'' (to move toward action)

To understand the concept of emotion, it is revealing to go to its etymological origin.

The word ''emotion'' comes from the Latin ''movere'', which translates as ''to move'' or, more precisely, ''to move toward''.

This root reveals the most primordial function of emotions: they are internal impulses, rapid action programs that move us and predispose us to act in a certain way in the face of the stimuli and situations we encounter in our lives.

They are, in essence, the energy that drives us to respond.

Definition according to Elsa Punset: the interaction of the internal and external world

The popularizer Elsa Punset offers a modern and integrative definition.

She affirms that emotions are the result of how we experience, both physically and mentally, the constant interaction between our internal world (which includes our thoughts, memories, beliefs, and values) and the external world (made up of events, people, and the environment around us).

It is the meeting point where the inside and the outside merge.

Psychology dictionary definition: intense and brief affective state

From a more technical and academic perspective, psychology dictionaries often define emotion as an affective state that is characterized by being intense and relatively brief.

Furthermore, it is noted that this state is often accompanied by strong expressive movements, such as facial gestures, and is intrinsically associated with specific, measurable bodily sensations, such as changes in heart rate or breathing.

Complex states with multiple components

Authors such as Daniel Goleman expand on this view, indicating that an emotion encompasses a feeling and its characteristic thoughts, as well as the biological states and action tendencies that define it.

It is also described as a complex state of the organism, characterized by an excitement or disturbance that prepares us for an organized response, generally generated as a reaction to an event, whether internal or external.

All of these definitions converge on the idea of emotion as a multifaceted phenomenon.

Summary

The etymological origin of the word ''emotion'' comes from the Latin moveré, which means ''to move''. This reflects its fundamental purpose: to move us to action in the face of various situations. Emotions are not simply passing reactions,but rather internal forces designed to prepare the body to act quickly and effectively in response to stimuli from the environment.

From a contemporary perspective, Elsa Punset argues that emotions arise from the encounter between our internal and external worlds. Our thoughts, memories, and values combine with circumstances, people, or events, generating unique emotional experiences. This integrative view helps us understand emotions as phenomena situated between the subjective and the objective.

At an academic level, psychologists describe them as intense, brief states with clear physical manifestations, such as facial expressions or bodily changes. Many psychologists agree that an emotion is a complex state that includes thought, biology, and a predisposition to act. Thus, emotion is an organized and multifaceted response, not just a feeling.