"It is wrong to assume that ethical decisions are, can or should be purely rational and principled. Human feelings are an inseparable part of our ethical life." In what way do feelings impact our ethical decisions? Illustrate with examples.

They influence our ethical decisions in the following way:

i) They guide our inner conscience to take any decision.

ii) Feeling of love for all made Gandhi adopt non-violence.

iii) They provide us with directions where ethical dilemmas occur.

iv) Choosing between animal rights or vaccine development.

iv) They provide basis for ethical actions

v) Actions based on hatred are usually unethical

vi) They form the moral decision of the society. A society that values selfless feeling would adopt similar actions. Ethical actions are not always rational and principled — they are influenced by the feelings of a person towards an emotion.

To guide the ethicality of our actions — our emotions and feelings needs to be in check.

Adoption of good emotions:

Baba Ambedkar's actions were guided based on his feelings towards lepers.

— Aditya Agarwal