Final answer:
Emotions are central in psychology as they are fundamental to understanding human behavior and thought processes, while in historical philosophy, they have often been seen as a potential source of bias in reasoning. However, contemporary philosophy of mind now acknowledges the influence of emotions, closely examining their role in rational thinking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why emotions are a significant part of psychology but not philosophy highlights the distinct approaches of the two disciplines. In psychology, emotions are seen as critical to understanding behavior and thought processes. Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio emphasized that contrary to some philosophical views, emotions are integral to rational thinking, arguing that without emotions, we may actually be less rational rather than more. Moreover, psychologists measure emotions and consider their role in maintaining homeostasis in the brain.
Philosophy, especially in its historical context, often prioritized rational thought and skepticism over the subjective nature of emotions, seeing them potentially as sources of bias or distortions in reasoning. Philosophical methods encourage metacognition and a step back from emotional responses to view arguments more objectively, adopting a stance of epistemic humility. Nonetheless, contemporary philosophy of mind has begun to recognize the importance of emotions, particularly influenced by insights from neurophysiology, psychology, and computer science.