Political anger

Abstract

In this brief essay, I sketch out the philosophical landscape considering anger in general, and political anger in particular. I begin by sketching anger's profile and its relation to judgments. I also consider the role anger plays in moral life. I then consider how philosophers have conceived of political anger, particularly anger that arises in a context of oppression. I survey claims in support of anger's value, as well as debates around its counterproductivity. And I suggest that debates can benefit from taking seriously different species of anger, and the injustices and burdens that are implicit in our forswearing, eradication, or moderation recommendations. I conclude with reflections on recent research and suggestions for future research.

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“…Rather, what I want is for you to recognise the harm that you have caused me and see my anger as justified. We find this emphasis on anger involving recognition also in the work of Myisha Cherry ( 2022 ) and Amia Srinivasan ( 2018 ). I think this move away from viewing anger as essentially retributive is the right one and likely a helpful way to further distinguish different kinds of anger from one another.…”

“…Holding onto indignation, though, comes at a price. As Cherry ( 2022 ) highlights, maintaining any form of moral anger in the face of injustice is exhausting and is yet another form of emotional labour that is often shouldered by the marginalised and oppressed.…”

“…As such, I, like others, am inclined to take anger to be an umbrella term for a family of related emotions (e.g., Bell, 2009 ; Cherry, 2022 ; Pettigrove, 2012 ; Silva, 2021a ; Srinivasan, 2018 ). As Flanagan ( 2018 , x) notes: “In English, one might think that these are some of the species of anger: rage, outrage, hatred, fury, indignation, irritation, frustration, resentment, prissiness, impatience, envy, jealously, revenge, and vengeance”.…”

“… 2 For a discussion of specifically political anger, see Cherry ( 2022 ), Leboeuf ( 2018 ). For discussions about what makes an emotion a political emotion, see: Szanto & Slaby ( 2020 ), Osler and Szanto ( 2021 ).…”

“…However, in being an emotion that can be had ‘on behalf of others’, indignation treads the complicated path on what it is to be an ally to others. For a wonderful discussion about allies and moral anger, see Cherry ( 2022 ).…”