THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - WRATH
Down To Earth|May 16, 2024
Anger is an emotional programme, a part of natural selection that helps us bargain for better treatment
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - WRATH

AARON SELL 

Is it important to understand anger? 

A good friend of mine was the victim of a very violent crime. I experienced anger at the time. But, in retrospect, I think, it was hatred, which are somewhat different emotions. So, that is what got me started on that particular topic.

The reason that anger should be well understood is because, I think, more than any other emotion, it is responsible for most of the interpersonal violence in the world, most of the cases of assault and homicide. If you look at how most homicides work, it typically involves unmarried men getting into a fight over something trivial. For example, there was a case in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where a man shot another because he had shovelled his snow and blocked his driveway. They got into an argument and one shot the other. I think from a societal point of view, that is important to understand.

There are more common cases. Anger can damage relationships. It can help your relationships, too. On the other hand, anger is important because if you have never experienced it, people can take advantage of you. There is a reason anger evolved. So, when you understand the grammar of anger, the variables, and how they work, it can better help you resolve conflicts because you can specify exactly what it is that you are angry about.

What triggers homicides or violence? Is it anger or aggression?

Anger is an emotional programme. It is a part of natural selection that helps us bargain for better treatment. Aggression is defined, usually, as behaviour, muscle movement, or something you do that imposes a cost on someone else. There are different definitions of aggression. In most cases, aggression, I think, comes from anger. But there are other causes of aggression as well. It can be fear, hatred and jealousy.

This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView All
Look Beyond Dust
Down To Earth

Look Beyond Dust

Reinvent National Clean Air Programme to focus on fine particulate matter and trans-boundary pollution

time-read
5 mins  |
June 01, 2024
PLAN THEM COOL
Down To Earth

PLAN THEM COOL

As urban India turns into a heat trap, the government must focus on improving cities' liveability

time-read
5 mins  |
June 01, 2024
Vision 2030
Down To Earth

Vision 2030

Economic growth must take into account needs of energy transition, climate mitigation, with action aligned as per India's 2030 climate goals

time-read
5 mins  |
June 01, 2024
FIX OUR FOOD
Down To Earth

FIX OUR FOOD

Chemical-dependent farming, lax labelling laws, rising anti-microbial resistance must top the agenda

time-read
5 mins  |
June 01, 2024
BATTLE THE CAR BULGE
Down To Earth

BATTLE THE CAR BULGE

Clean, affordable, integrated and accessible public transport the only solution

time-read
3 mins  |
June 01, 2024
CONSERVE NOW
Down To Earth

CONSERVE NOW

Disregard for biodiversity conservation over the past two decades needs immediate redressal

time-read
3 mins  |
June 01, 2024
SCRAP THE DUMP
Down To Earth

SCRAP THE DUMP

Disincentivise garbage dumping, invest in behavioural change

time-read
4 mins  |
June 01, 2024
THINK LONG-TERM
Down To Earth

THINK LONG-TERM

India needs continued emphasis on flagship programmes, aligned to long-term planning that focusses on water security and circular economy in a climate-risked era

time-read
8 mins  |
June 01, 2024
OVERHAUL OVERDUE
Down To Earth

OVERHAUL OVERDUE

Hold polluting industries accountable for public health risks, environmental hazards, climate change; provide them support for green transition

time-read
7 mins  |
June 01, 2024
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Down To Earth

IT'S NOW OR NEVER

Clean energy sectors need demand-driven markets and domestic industries that can cater to the entire value chain

time-read
5 mins  |
June 01, 2024