Martha C. Nussbaum’s Public Ethics

Lyric Opera and the Dignity of Emotions

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is to shed light on the public role of emotions as it emerges from Martha C. Nussbaum’s philosophical and political reflections. Democratic and just societies are not solely reliant on laws and institutions; they are also contingent on the collective emotions that underpin their public values. Shared feelings are needed to unite citizens, ensuring cooperation and respect. However, alongside positive emotions such as civic love, critical patriotism and social gratitude, there is a risk of negative emotions that are destructive in the public sphere, such as fear, disgust, anger. Our contribution examines the research conducted by the American philosopher over the past decade, focusing in particular on works such as Upheavals of Thought and Political Emotions, while awaiting the publication of her new book on the connection between social emotions and lyric opera (forthcoming 2026). Our goal is to reflect on the dignity of emotions through her philosophical and moral interpretation of Operas.