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Losing Hope: Injustice and Moral Bitterness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Katie Stockdale
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Abstract

In this article, I defend a conception of bitterness as a moral emotion and offer an evaluative framework for assessing when instances of bitterness are morally justified. I argue that bitterness is a form of unresolved anger involving a loss of hope that an injustice or other moral wrong will be sufficiently acknowledged and addressed. Orienting the discussion around instances of bitterness in response to social and political injustices, I argue that bitterness is sometimes morally justified even if it is ultimately undesirable to bear. I then suggest that focusing only on the harms and risks of bitterness can distract from its positive role as a moral reminder about a past or persistent injustice, indicating that there is still moral and often political work left to do. Finally, I address the concern that bearing bitterness may lead to despair and inaction. I respond by arguing that moral agents can and do persist in their moral and political struggles with bitterness, and without hope that their efforts will be successful.

Type
Articles
Information
Hypatia , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , Spring 2017 , pp. 363 - 379
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 by Hypatia, Inc.

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