When is Anger Justified?

When is Anger Justified? A Philosophical Inquiry

This short article explores the concept of anger and the question of whether it is ever morally justified.

Let's start by introducing the concept of the Doctrine of the Mean from Greek philosopher Aristotle. This theory suggests there is a “sweet spot” for our emotional responses. For example someone being woken up by a neighbor blasting music before an important meeting. Feeling angry is understandable, but how much anger is appropriate and what actions should be taken?

According to Aristotle, practical wisdom is necessary to navigate these situations. In the neighbor scenario, this would involve considering if you’ve spoken to them before, if it’s a reasonable time for loud music, and if they’re intentionally antagonizing you.

Let's contrast Aristotle’s approach with the philosophy of the ancient Stoics. The Stoics believed life is uncontrollable and that we should avoid fighting its current. They argued that since anger is caused by external events beyond our control, it is always wrong.

The perspective of 8th Century Indian Buddhist philosopher Shantideva, Shantideva questioned free will and the value of anger. He believed people often lack rational control over their emotions and that we should not let the anger of others spread to us.

Moving past the futility of anger, philosopher P.F. Strawson offers a different perspective. Strawson’s theory of reactive attitudes suggests that anger is a natural part of human psychology that helps us communicate blame and hold others accountable. Anger can be a tool to point out immoral behavior, but the response to that anger is crucial. For example, a supervisor might feel anger towards disrespectful children, but treating them harshly would be wrong.

Let's conclude by exploring the role of anger in social justice movements. Righteous anger can motivate people to take action against injustice, such as fighting against a factory polluting the water supply. However, philosophers like Martha Nussbaum caution that even righteous anger can lead to bitterness and vengeance. They argue that we should strive to see others as part of the community, even when we are angry.

At the end, people should seek tips and techniques to identify, understand, and regulate their emotions, including anger.