Gehirn&Geist Dossier - Gefühle und Moral

Do you know what I'm feeling right now? Probably not. But let me tell you something: I often don't know either! Is it relief over the deadline I've met, or pride in the great contributions in this issue – or anticipation for sales figures and feedback? Or is it more about the sick child or the upcoming vacation that occupies my mind? It's likely a mix of all these and other fleeting emotions that guide my thoughts and actions without me even realizing it. Emotions accompany us every step of the way. Even if we don't always notice it, and even less frequently think about it consciously, anticipation, guilt, or gnawing uncertainty are the spice of our everyday lives. Without them, we wouldn't know what is good and what is bad, what to do or what to avoid. According to moral psychologists, such judgments often stem from emotional reactions: we find what feels good for us in the moment to be right and just – whether it's because it promises belonging and perhaps a sense of purpose in life. Conversely, this also means that we need negative feelings to readjust ourselves. The importance of being open to doubt and discomfort has been highlighted for me through my research for the article starting on page 34. The contributions gathered here from Gehirn&Geist paint a multifaceted picture of our moral compass – so that we can navigate through our interactions without major collisions. Wishing you a good read, Steve Ayan, Redaktion Gehirn&Geist.