The Philosophy and Politics of Educating Emotions

Abstract

<p>This chapter provides a philosophical examination of emotional virtues education for enhancing social and emotional well-being. First it explores the roots of this trend in western psychology and philosophy. Then it suggests a model for education for emotional well-being that is more politically engaged, that frames students as active agents in the social world rather than just ‘good’ students. This latter view, which I discuss as the ‘politics of educating emotions,’ identifies and responds to the limitations of traditional approaches to educating emotions, contrasting sociological and political insights about education of the self with western psychological views of the person. Thus, this chapter showcases the value of critical theories for developing just and politically conscientious strategies for educating emotions across diverse social contexts.</p>