Definition:
Affectation refers to the process by which a body, mind or system is influenced, changed or put into a certain state by external or internal influences. It encompasses the ability to react to stimuli, process them and be transformed as a result.
Discussion:
- Philosophical roots:
The term ‘affectation’ has deep roots in philosophy. Spinoza (1677) used the term ‘affectus’ in his ‘Ethics’ to describe the modifications of the body that increase or decrease the body’s ability to act [1]. For Spinoza, affects were central to the understanding of human experience and action.
- Phenomenological perspective:
The concept of affect plays an important role in phenomenology. Husserl (1966) describes affectation as the process by which something attracts our attention and influences our consciousness [2]. This is fundamental to his understanding of how we experience the world and construct meaning.
- Psychological dimension:
In psychology, affectation is often discussed in connection with emotions and moods. Tomkins (1962) developed a theory of affect that considers affect as a fundamental mechanism for the development of emotions [3].
- Neuroscientific perspective:
From a neuroscientific perspective, affectation can be understood as a process in which external stimuli change neuronal activity patterns. Damasio (1994) argues that affect is fundamental to decision-making and rational thinking [4].
- Social dimension:
In social contexts, affectation can be understood as a process by which individuals are influenced by their environment and social interactions. Ahmed (2004) discusses how affects circulate in social and cultural contexts and shape collective identities [5].
- Technological perspective:
With the increasing spread of technology, the question of how digital media and artificial intelligence affect us also becomes relevant. Hansen (2006) argues that new media technologies are fundamentally changing our perception and experience [6].
- Affection in complex systems:
In the theory of complex systems, affectation can be understood as a mechanism by which systems react and adapt to environmental influences. This is closely related to concepts such as emergence and self-organisation.
- Ethical implications:
The ability to affect also raises ethical questions. Understanding how systems (be it people, societies or AI) can be affected raises questions of responsibility and potential misuse.
- Affection and resonance:
The concept of affectation is closely related to the concept of resonance, as developed by Rosa (2016) [7]. Resonance describes a form of world relationship in which subject and world touch and transform each other.
- Affectation in AI research:
In AI research, the question of how artificial systems can be ‘affected’ in order to enable more human-like reactions and adaptations is increasingly being discussed. This touches on questions of emotional AI and embodiment in robotics.
Summary:
Affectation is a multi-layered concept that is central to our understanding of experience, emotion, cognition and social interaction. It describes how systems – be they biological, social or artificial – are influenced and changed by their environment. The concept of affect provides an important perspective for understanding the dynamic relationships between individuals, societies and their environment.
In relation to resonance spaces, affectation plays a central role. It describes the process by which individuals or systems within a resonance space are influenced and changed, which in turn contributes to the emergence of shared representations and collective dynamics.
The understanding of affectation is particularly relevant for the development of AI systems that should be able to interact with their environment and with humans in complex and nuanced ways. It also raises important questions about the nature of consciousness, emotion and adaptability that are relevant to both the philosophy of mind and the practical development of AI systems.
References:
[1] Spinoza, B. (1677/1992). Ethics. Hackett Publishing.
[2] Husserl, E. (1966). Analysen zur passiven Synthesis. Aus Vorlesungs- und Forschungsmanuskripten, 1918-1926. Martinus Nijhoff.
[3] Tomkins, S. S. (1962). Affect, imagery, consciousness: Vol. I. The positive affects. Springer.
[4] Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes’ error: Emotion, reason, and the human brain. Putnam.
[5] Ahmed, S. (2004). The cultural politics of emotion. Edinburgh University Press.
[6] Hansen, M. B. N. (2006). New philosophy for new media. MIT Press.
[7] Rosa, H. (2016). Resonanz: Eine Soziologie der Weltbeziehung. Suhrkamp Verlag.