When some one expresses anger to me, my first emotional reaction is, they don't like me. But in fact, ah, it often means something very different. And when i can remem ber that it means something different, i don't have to react to their anger with either my own anger back or my own loss of self. I just go, that's interesting. I've touched a nerve. That's what it is to touch a nerve. Ah, and that's, um, you know, i think you shouldn't intentionally do it, touch nerve, touch the nerve. You can identify it. There are positive and negative ways to deal with that situation. But we often do
Philosopher Agnes Callard of the University of Chicago talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about anger. Is anger something we should vilify and strive to eradicate in ourselves? Or should we accept it as a necessary and appropriate human emotion? Callard takes a fresh look at anger and has much to say about jealousy, desire, and forgiveness as well.