Essay Sample on Martha Nussbaum's Theory on Emotions and Ethics

Introduction

Emotions have received mild philosophical attention in the past decades. However, in the "Upheavals of Thought," the theory of emotion is adversely represented by Martha Nussbaum concerning its role in ethics. According to her, emotions can be best conceived through thoughts, and that emotion-thoughts are vital in making valuable contributions to the individual's moral life. Martha further develops comprehensive erotic love and compassion accounts as min ideas that are significant in a great moral import. The paper seeks to discuss Martha Nussbaum's Theory on the role of emotions in ethics and the importance of works of fiction in making illustrations. Finally, the paper aims to show how the film Smoke Signals be said to illustrate Martha's theory.

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Martha Nussbaum is described as a "philosopher of feelings" because of her kind attention towards emotions. She argues that the presences of ethical value in sentiment can be ostracized outside the relevance of philosophical sphere and that if feelings are correctly understood, an individual's life is shaped for building a morally stable society (Martin, 2017). Similarly, Nussbaum affirms that following one's emotion helps the person to extend his or her humanity towards people he might have rejected previously in the developmental process. Ethically, emotions are significant in building substantial efforts for healthy living as one remains rightfully satisfied with his or her present feeling.

Additionally, some emotions have an explicit cognitive value which relates them to specific ethical values in a logical flow. According to Fischer (2018),the theory reveals that the experience that an individual has towards a feeling presupposes his or her beliefs about a given loss (Fischer, 2018). Every person is believed to possess a permanent injury which has unique and tremendous value. The theory further reiterates that accounts of anger which are usually manifested due to various assumptions are the underlying factors which define the emotional levels of a person. However, the relationship between ethics and emotion is typical like a cosmic balance that directs the next actions of the person who is emotionally triggered.

Moreover, the theory argues that some emotions encompass specific beliefs about the person's environment which must be scrutinized to maintain a precise and rightful ethical investigation. The values and codes of conduct of a person determine the kind of emotions that are expected of a person and the efforts that can be made to either unfound or unwarranted beliefs on false discovery (Fischer, 2018). Similarly, the invention is very inconsistent, and Nussbaum argues that before an emotion is discredited as untrustworthy and insignificant, the moral condition of the person must be observed for rational justification.

Importance of Fiction Work in Nussbaum's Theory

The use of fiction work in Martha Nussbaum's theory helps one understand her perspectives towards emotions and ethics. The choice of fiction work also makes the intended information she wanted to portray to sink in the mind of the readers. Fiction has extensive that melds the relationship between readers and the author's intention. Additionally, the suggestion to use words of novels in her theory aimed at relaying comprehensive information that captures all endeavors of ethic-emotions (Manni, Sporre&Ottander, 2017). Because emotions are manifested in people's minds, the use of fiction work elucidates the meaning of each reaction concerning the possible ethical values. Through the theory it is important to note that the manifestation of the feelings may extraordinary manifest, hence preventing one from free expression. On the other hand, the use of fiction as illustration makes the understanding of ethical emotions comprehensives and splendid. In relation to ethics, emotions are significant in building substantial efforts for healthy living as one remains rightfully satisfied with his or her present feeling

The Film Smoke Signals

The film smoke signal smokes an emotion theory. It captures different situations where the emotions of a person were triggered to undertake important and meaningful roles. Emotions control the feeling of a person and hold him or her responsible for different situations. For example, after getting saved from the burning house, Victor developed serious emotional hang-up for being a drunkard liar and because of failing to help (Martin, 2017). This type of emotion can be manifested for a long time in an individual's mind if not properly tamed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theory of emotions defines the feeling one may have toward his or her values. However, the manifestation of the feelings may extraordinary, thus hindering the one from free expression. Overall, the use of fiction as illustration makes the understanding of ethical emotions comprehensives and splendid. Ethically, emotions are significant in building substantial efforts for healthy living as one remains rightfully satisfied with his or her present feeling. However, the relationship between ethics and emotion is typical like a cosmic balance that directs the next actions of the person who is emotionally triggered with invention becoming very inconsistent, and Nussbaum argues that before an emotion is discredited as untrustworthy and insignificant, the moral condition of the person must be observed for rational justification. This happens because emotions are manifested in people's minds; the use of fiction work elucidates the meaning of each reaction concerning the possible ethical values.

References

Fischer, B. (2018). Kenneth Asher, Literature, Ethics, and Emotions. Reviewed by. Philosophy in Review, 38(1), 1-3. https://philpapers.org/rec/FISKAL

Manni, A., Sporre, K., & Ottander, C. (2017). Emotions and values-A case study of meaning-making in ESE. Environmental Education Research, 23(4), 451-464. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2016.1175549

Martin, L. A. (2017). Beyond Martha Nussbaum's Cognitive-Evaluative Approach to the Emotions: Separating Reader and Narrative Affective Experience from Ethical Judgments in Lolita. Interdisciplinary Literary Studies, 19(2), 171-203. https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/36537/print

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Meretoja, H., & Davis, C. (Eds.). (2017). Storytelling and Ethics: Literature, Visual Arts and the Power of Narrative. Routledge.

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