Workshop: The Moral Psychology of Admiration

14. und 15. September 2017 | ganztägig | MKE

Experiencing admiration for those who perform extraordinary acts is a natural part of everyday life. We feel admiration for heroes and saints, sports and film stars, as well as those close to us who excel in a more modest way. But what is the nature of admiration and what role does this emotion play in our lives? Despite the recent surge in philosophical interest in appraising emotions such as shame, guilt and anger (see for example Arneson (2007), Deonna et al. (2011), Hutchinson (2008), Maibom (2010), Morgan (2008), Murphy (2005), Pettigrove and Parsons (2012)) admiration remains an emotion that has received little attention from contemporary philosophers (see, however, Zagzebski 2006, 2015, 2017). This stands in stark contrast to the increasing number of psychologists who are investigating admiration (eg. Algoe, S. B., & Haidt, J. (2009), Galliani & Vianello, (2012), Haidt & Seder (2009), Schindler et al. (2013, Forthcoming), Schlenker (2008), Searle (1971), Sweetman et al. (2013), Van de Ven, et al. (2011). Immordino-Yang, M. H., & Sylvan, L. (2010)). This two-day workshop provides a platform for an interdisciplinary, though predominantly philosophical exploration of the moral psychology admiration. Its aim is to examine the nature of admiration, how it relates to other emotions such as wonder, envy and pride and what role admiration plays in our moral lives. As to the latter, a strong focus will be on the alleged link between admiration, emulation and the improvement of our characters, as well as of society as a whole.