First Attempt At Tok Talking

If one is familiar with the Dual Processing Theory, one is aware that emotion is always one’s first defense and one’s first consideration when making a decision. Emotions are inherently human; they are what allows us to love and what stands in the way of a logical, sensible, perfect human race, as we are ruled by our emotions. Emotions have very little value in the 21^st Century, society attempts to disregard emotions in favour of logic and reason. Emotions are seen as a weakness, especially in such areas of knowledge as the Natural Sciences, and emotions are exploited in all aspects of society. Despite this, emotions still hold a special position in Religious Knowledge Systems, even as the number of those who believe declines rapidly.

In the 21^st Century, emotions are viewed as weak. Emotions are closely associated with women, as they are also viewed as ‘weak’, so words such as ‘girly’, ‘emotional’, or ‘sissy’ would have a negative connotation. An example of a popular writer exhibiting these beliefs in the 20^th Century, a writer with whom one would associate incredible writing, one needs only to look toward Ernest Hemingway. His “Code Hero”, always a man of course, exhibits such traits as ‘stoicism’ and the ability to repress emotions. In the Natural Sciences as well there is no place for emotions. If the results of an experiment have been changed because someone “didn’t like the results”, there would be dire consequences in the scientific community. 

In the advertising world, and in the political world, emotions are freely exploited. When referring to Ethos, Logos, and Pathos, Pathos, when used effectively, is the most useful of the three because of the human instinct to resort to emotions first and logical reasoning second. Politicians will use Pathos in their speeches to appeal to their audiences; if they generate positive emotion towards themselves, it may help them win the election. Many effective advertisements will play to human emotions to enact a strong response.

Although I am not religious, my family is Catholic and part of my childhood was deeply involved in Catholic ideals. Emotions are highly important in religion; those who believe tie their emotions and religion closely together and link them to their self-worth. In prayer, or making decisions, their beliefs and emotions are of the upmost importance. Happiness, to those who believe, comes from being “a good Christian” or “following the Lord’s will”. Any jealousy or rage and it is a betrayal of their faith. In this way, the “Catholic guilt” is very strong, I’ve felt it through my family when I behave how the Catholic God would not approve. There have been claims made that perhaps religion gives us a stronger sense of morality. “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” is a quote from Soren Kierkegaard which well represents how investing emotions in religion is still a desirable practice in the 21^st Century.

In general, in the 21^st Century, emotions are valued very little. They are deemed weak and manipulated in many aspects of society. I think that they have incredible value, we must invest them wisely. Using our emotions to improve ourselves will improve our morality and decision-making skills. Maybe we need not ask “What would Jesus do?” but we can all change ourselves by devoting to a cause worth changing ourselves for.