The Emotions

Some thinkers are suspicious of the emotions-joy, shame, sorrow, nostalgia etc. They worry that we can be 'carried away' by them and cease to judge rationally. This view sees emotions as dangerous, external pressures we should resist. It is true that emotions can be dangerous, but not if we are careful. Most adults come to see emotions as good guides to life (like the 'warning bells' that ring when we feel physical pain). Also, most are able to control emotion so that they feel sorrow at what is truly sorrowful, shame at what is truly shameful etc.

But it would be wrong to control emotions to the point of not feeling at all. Christian philosophers argue self-control is not stamping emotions out but learning to experience them appropriately. For example, it is appropriate to feel highly emotional at the birth of a child, forgiveness of sin etc. We should avoid the indulgence of either too much or too little emotion. A good balance in the emotional life is the mark of a virtuous character-something that requires a good general and moral education.