What Role Do Emotions Play in Moral Disagreements?

People agree and disagree about many things: what happens around them, what to do, matters of taste, and more generally, world views, values, policies, theories, and philosophies. In contrast to traditional societies, modern pluralist societies can no longer take agreements for granted. On a societal level, it almost seems as if dissent with regard to moral questions is quite normal, while moral consensus represents an exceptional phenomenon (Gordijn 2001, 225-6). Why we should deal with ethical disagreements may seem obvious. In consequentialist terms, disagreements may lead to escalation of conflicts or even to violence; on the other hand, it is usually assumed that agreements bring about improved cooperation and trust.