Introduction

This book grew out of ethical concerns. I was wondering, in a general way, how feelings fit into a good life. How, ideally, should we relate to our feelings, in the course of leading our lives? The rationalist tendency is to see feelings as influences that cloud our better judgment and lead us to betray our principles. The romantic tendency is to see them as expressions of our wisest, most authentic selves. Now, this might be a false dichotomy. But even if it is, what sort of argument could justify that conclusion?...