Valuation and emotion according to John Dewey

Abstract

Abstract The role of morals, ethics and values in economics is a much-discussed topic. The purpose of this article is to review the pragmatist philosopher John Dewey’s contribution to this debate. He particularly points out the importance of emotion. Indeed, emotion has remained a blind spot in the author’s thinking on values, given the extent to which the debate on rationality and value has taken precedence. We begin by showing the contiguity of the notions of valuation and emotion in the author’s thinking. We then discuss the role of emotion in the conduct of moral inquiry by situating his thinking in relation to emotivism, before more specifically addressing the role of emotion in Dewey’s thinking. Finally, we discuss how Dewey’s thinking can contribute to the debate on values and valuation in economics.