Anger in Politics: An Analysis of Anger from Aristotle to Today

Abstract

Anger is everywhere today. Why is there so much anger in our politics? Why do some things feed unreasonable rage, and other outrageous things fail to provoke outrage? What should we be angry about and how? Some see anger as a toxic force endangering political debate, democracy, and civil society; others see anger as a the only proper motivation to pursue injustice. In this debate, Hertzoff offers considerations grounded in Aristotle’s treatment of anger. When, why, and in what ways we become angry need to be judged against a standard of virtuous anger, measured against concepts of justice, dignity, and nobility. In bringing together Aristotle’s concept and treatment with our concerns with anger in our society gives us reason to rethink our views of anger, how we learn to be angry, and how we teach children to be angry properly.