Emotions and Flourishing: A Complex Relationship of Mutual Enrichment

Reflections Inspired by Giuseppe Abbà

Abstract

Building on the work of the Italian moral philosopher Giuseppe Abbà, this paper argues that the relationship between emotions and flourishing is mutually enriching yet complex. It acknowledges that the author primarily employs classical, albeit correlated, concepts. Although passions and emotions both have significant epistemological value, their evaluation alone is insufficient for perceiving the true value of a good. A further evaluation by practical reason is required. The epistemological value of passions and emotions in moral perception corresponds to a pre-rational evaluation of cogitative power. While passions are components of subjective wellbeing, additional criteria are required to determine their role in human flourishing. Abbà employs the Thomistic concept of ‘ordo rationis’ to determine whether a good contributes to flourishing, and to categorise the virtues that enable a good life. Love, as the primary passion, explains all the other passions and is the driving force behind any action.