How to Do Things with Emotions

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The world today is rife with anger, particularly in the US and UK, where it often appears aimless, possibly fueled by social media. While anger can motivate positive social change—driving movements for civil rights and socio-economic equality—it also plays a role in personal defense. Conversely, shame is increasingly dismissed, with political leaders neglecting integrity and truth. Shame is viewed as a primitive emotion linked to various psychological issues and societal problems. In "How to Do Things with Emotions," philosopher Owen Flanagan challenges this perspective, advocating for a shift from anger to a more constructive form of shame. He explores cross-cultural insights, illustrating how certain types of anger are harmful, while a mature sense of shame can promote social values like kindness and truth. Drawing on Stoic, Buddhist, and other traditions, Flanagan critiques the Western psychoanalytic view of shame as misguided. By integrating cross-cultural philosophy, psychology, and anthropology, he reveals how cultural norms shape our emotions and argues that cultivating our emotional responses can lead to significant moral progress.