Passions and Emotions

Throughout the history of moral, political, and legal philosophy,
many have portrayed passions and emotions as being
opposed to reason and good judgment. At the same time,
others have defended passions and emotions as tempering
reason and enriching judgment, and there is mounting
empirical evidence linking emotions to moral judgment. In
Passions and Emotions, a group of prominent scholars in
philosophy, political science, and law explore three clusters
of issues: “Passion & Impartiality: Passions & Emotions in
Moral Judgment”; “Passion & Motivation: Passions & Emotions
in Democratic Politics”; and “Passion & Dispassion:
Passions & Emotions in Legal Interpretation.” This timely,
interdisciplinary volume examines many of the theoretical
and practical legal, political, and moral issues raised by such
questions.

James E. Fleming is Professor of Law and The Honorable Frank R. Kenison Distinguished Scholar in Law at Boston University School of Law. He is the author or co-author of several books, including Securing Constitutional Democracy: The Case of Autonomy and, with Linda C. McClain, Ordered Liberty: Rights, Responsibilities, and Virtues.