The Complexity of Human Emotional Experience: Animal Emotion, Biology and Culture in Martha Nussbaum"™s Theory of Emotion

Abstract

Emotional repertoires of human beings have a common biological foundation that we partially share with other animals. Nevertheless, these are varied in virtue of the strong cognitive component of human emotions. Furthermore, these have a relevant role in our moral and political life. In the present article we will maintain that Martha Nussbaum"™s theory of emotion is a balanced theory that takes into account cognitive and non cognitive aspects of emotion. In the first place, we will see the differences between animal and human emotion, paying attention to its diverse cognitive capabilities. After that, we will examine the sources from which variation between different emotional repertoires arise: material conditions; metaphysical, religious and cosmologic beliefs; traditions and practices; linguistic differences; and social norms. Lastly, we will consider some relevant issues for ethics and politics.