The Role of Emotions and Imagination in the Development of Moral Life: Darcia Narvaez and Martha Nussbaum’s Philosophical Contributions

Abstract

The best-known philosophical traditions and moral psychology have assigned reason a dominant role in people's moral life, at least as a desirable ideal to achieve for a life in harmony. In this paradigm, emotions have played a secondary role, conceptualized as something that must be mastered or even eliminated and fought. Currently, due in part to the progress in neurosciences, we are witnessing a paradigm shift that advocates an integration between rational and emotional capacities to understand moral life in its complexity better. As examples of this new vision, this work presents the contributions of two contemporary authors: Darcia Narvaez's view from the field of moral psychology and Martha Nussbaum's from the field of philosophy. Both defend the importance of moral emotions to build conscience and ethical life and people's subjective well-being. First, it presents Darcia Narvaez's perspective on the moral life components and the role of emotions in building the communal imagination and making higher-level ethical decision-making. The second part sets forth the neo-stoic position of Martha Nussbaum, her ideal of human flourishing, the eudaemonist judgment, and the role of emotions in the complexity of human moral life. The conclusions balance the coincidences in both authors' positions, and their main contributions to a better understanding of moral life are valued.