Sensory and emotional problems hamper the experience of ethical values

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to show that previous to the psychological capacity of valuation –for the capture of ethical values– sensorial and emotional processes are involved. Its healthy functioning is a requisite for a satisfactory experience of the capture of values. Types of pathology of these processes are shown –in accordance to the Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy– that hinders the healthy functioning of values’ capture. Three contributions have been selected –from philosophy and psychology of feelings and emotions– from Robert C. Solomon, Philip Lersch, and Leslie S. Greenberg (together with Laura N. Rice and Robert Elliot), on the nature and importance of the emotional processes. Examples are given on the incidence of sensorial and emotional processes and its possible pathologies, on the valuation capacity, with respect to three ethical values: serenity, respect towards the other, and hopeful attitude.