Humans Emotional Capacity as a Solution for Frame Problem; De Sousa Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Abolfazl Sabramiz
Institute for Humanities and Social Studies (IHSS)
10.30470/phm.2024.2019491.2485
Abstract
The origin of frame problem back to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and first order logic. Although, in the first place this problem was understood at only logical way, more dimensional such as epistemic aspect has been added by philosophers, later. De Sousa (1987: 172) believes that what called frame problem is that: in a situation we do not retrieve some unrelated information from the vast store of information we have. The question is, how do we know when not to do this, unless we have already retrieved this information? His solution is based on the emotional capacity of humans to explain the frame problem. Emotion by salienting our perceptions and reasons restricted our information and because of that we encounter with lessen choice. This answer remains the novel solution and was used by other philosophers. In this article, while examining de Susa's idea, I will present two criticisms on his solution. The first criticism is based on the question, why is a certain emotion activated in a situation? And the second critique is based on the question that when emotions are not consciously active, how can we say that emotions can help us in solving the frame problem?
Keywords
Frame problem
Emotions
appraisal element
feeling
de Sousa
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Philosophical Meditations
Volume 15, Issue 36 - Serial Number 36
February 2026
Pages 87-118