ABSTRACT
Emotions normally relate to an object are accompanied by physical sensations, and provoke some sort of action. For example, one may be afraid of a burglar, experience sensations such as trembling, and be provoked to hide or to summon help. Among the possible objects of moral emotions are people, actions and abstract ideas. One can respect or despise a man for his character, feel guilt or pride in a particular action, honour truthfulness and courage and loathe deceit or selfishness. Morality and politics are what Aristotle called ‘practical’ arts. They are concerned with how we actually behave towards each other, and are concerned, at least partly, with making judgements about what is right and wrong. Moral emotions are of great practical importance. One of the many difficulties facing us is that there will be disagreement about what is to count as a religious emotion.
