Courage and curiosity, but no fear

Academy Professor Sara Heinämaa and her team investigate the dynamics of social emotions.

Owing to the pioneering research work of Academy Professor Sara Heinämaa, Finland is today one of Europe’s leading countries in phenomenological research alongside Denmark, Belgium and Germany. In addition to their European partners, Heinämaa and her team collaborate with leading phenomenologists from the US and Canada.

Heinämaa’s research project Marginalization and Experience (MEPA) involves a strong team of postdoc researchers. Docent Mirja Hartimo is an expert in intellectual and scientific norms, PhD James Jardine is known for his in-depth interpretations of values and emotions, and Docent Fredrik Westerlund is specialised in issues pertaining to the role of emotions in morals. The team also includes a number of young talented doctoral researchers.

The team is known abroad for its expertise in the philosophy of bodily issues as well as an ability to solve problems pertaining to values and normativity. The project’s theme areas are connected to the analysis of the social dimensions of emotions. The team has made a major scientific contribution to, for instance, the interpretation of emotions such as hatred, shame, bitterness, disgust, curiosity, and love as well as to the analysis of ethical and intellectual values.

EMOTIONS ESSENTIAL IN POLITICS AS WELL

All the above-mentioned emotions have proven essential in our current political reality. Repressed emotions, in particular, motivate us to participate in marginalising and excluding individuals who are different from us. Negative emotions – such as powerlessness, bitterness and shame – encourage us to engage in unethical practices and actions. Conversely, these emotions gain further force from our unjust actions: When our reproaches, mockery and disparagement silence a person different from us or make them shy away, we are by no means turning to this person mercifully, but on the contrary, with annoyance or even disdain and disgust.

BREAKING VICIOUS CIRCLES WITH COURAGE

Emotional vicious circles are at work equally on the micro and macro levels of our social order. They turn the wheels of bullying at work and school, but also prop up entire totalitarian social systems.

Breaking the vicious circle of negative emotions requires individual courage as well as communal solidarity. Only the development of understanding and criticism concerning emotions can ensure a healthy foundation for society. In this mission, the humanities and social sciences, play a key role, as Professor Heinämaa convincingly argues.

Sara Heinämaa →

“The year 2020 marked the end of a four-year period, during which a transfer of business unique in the university world brought us a number of language students and staff from Vaasa. This demanding and educational project is now completed, and JYU’s national position in language studies and research is even stronger than before.”

Minna-Riitta Luukka | DEAN