Also the author of The History of Intentionality: Theories of Consciousness from Brentano through Husserl, 2007) Hickerson (Western Oregon Univ.) has written a complex and subtle treatment of what he calls "doxastic sentimentalism," which is the theory that belief is not solely or primarily a cognitive state but also an affective state. In short, belief is as much a matter of feeling that one believes as it is anything else. Hickerson develops this thesis in conversation with empirical psychology and a variety of philosophers: Descartes, Husserl, and William James among others. The book is carefully argued and well written. . . Those working in the area will find it a useful contribution to the literature and well worth reading. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty.
