Emotion plays a big part in how we make moral choices. Sometimes, our feelings can get in the way of clear thinking. Research shows that emotions can strongly affect our decisions about what’s right or wrong, even when those decisions don’t make logical sense.

Key Findings:

1. Emotional Influence:

   • Studies indicate that people often trust their feelings when deciding on moral issues. For example, a study by Greene and others in 2001 found that when thinking about tough moral problems, many people preferred outcomes based on logic. However, their emotions often led them to reject those logical choices.

2. Rationalist vs. Sentimentalist Views:

   • Rationalism suggests that we should make ethical decisions using reason. On the other hand, sentimentalism argues that our emotions are very important for making moral judgments. A survey showed that about 80% of people believe their feelings guide their ethical choices more than careful thinking does.

3. Empirical Statistics:

   • In different experiments, almost 90% of the participants showed emotional reactions that didn’t match their rational thoughts, especially in situations where someone might get hurt.

4. Conclusion:

   • The struggle between our emotions and logical thinking in ethics shows us that making moral judgments is complex. It’s important to consider both feelings and reason in discussions about ethics. Understanding this mix is key to grasping how our minds work when it comes to morality.