Allen Jae A.

Pascua
BSEDFIL3A

GE9: Ethics
Assignment #4: Feelings and Emotions in Problem Solving

Whether we like it or not, emotions play an important role in our lives and has great control
over our body. How many times did we lash out on someone else because of anger? How many times
did you resist yourself from telling your best friend that you like her? Many people have not yet realized
that emotions have a deep impact on our ethical choices. The influences of emotions on our daily
choices are equally as important as the use of logic and factual data. Without emotions, we will have
one-sided judgements, resulting in poor ethical decisioning.

Emotions are created when the brain interprets what is going on around us through our
memories, thoughts, and beliefs. This triggers how we feel and behave. Integrating emotions on our
decision making often lead us to act ethically towards others. Inner-directed negative emotions like guilt
often lead people to do the right thing. But these emotions not only influence our own actions but to
others as well, like the outer-directed negative emotions such as disgust and contempt, often
discourages people to act unethically. These emotions also save us from impending dangers that maybe
caused by past experiences and beliefs. Suppressing these emotions can only lead to physical and
emotional stress.

While it is known to have good benefits, it also has adverse effects. It is crucial to let our
emotion influence our ethical choices, but it should not be all the time. Relying too much on emotion
leads to unhealthy tolerance. In business, there is no room for emotions in decision making. Decisions
should be made based on facts. A business that relies on emotion on decision making is risky. In order
for it to progress, fact-based decisions are an optimal choice.

A good balance between the two results in making choices that makes life more livable.

Sources:

Emotional Wellness Blog | Emotions Effect On Decisions | Bach Flower Remedies (bachremedies.com)

Moral Emotions - Ethics Unwrapped (utexas.edu)