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Emotion is not a measure of truth and morality

If we are to make wise decisions, we must beware of a tendency to move with our feelings

July 10, 2024 08:52
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Maya Angelou (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for AWRT)
3 min read

The American poet and civil rights leader Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” For better or worse, this is true. We tend to make decisions about people based on what we feel about them as opposed to what they say or do. It is a tricky problem because emotions are not the best measure of truth and morality. We fall into moral confusion when, for example, we do not recognise that nice people and good people are not the same.

Last Shabbat we read the story of Korach’s attempted coup against his cousin, Aaron the High Priest. Korach insisted that there was no need for the priesthood, as “the entire nation was holy with God in their midst”. Although Korach’s rebellion was ostensibly the assertion of a rival political philosophy, it was nonetheless evident to Moses and Aaron that what was driving him was jealousy.

Moses exposes this by offering to discuss the issues with his group. But reasoned-based assessments were of no interest and they flatly declined the invitation. Despite the opportunities they had to properly present the moral merits of their approach, they instead chose silence. The result was fatal.

Lately, we have had to become more used to protests. People are upset with the world order and its leaders. This year, 50 countries will hold elections. While much of Europe is flirting with far-right candidates in a way we have not seen in recent years, the UK has voted for a Labour government. Perhaps what is motivating these changes is less a carefully-reasoned assessment of issues and more an emotionally-driven urge for change?