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Title: Emotions, Politics, and Populism: On the Legitimate Use of Emotions in the Public DebateSpeaker: Dr Giulio Sacco (University of Turin)
Date: Monday 20 April 2026
Time: 17:30
Location: Gateway Building (GW) Hall D2
Appealing to emotions in public discourse is often regarded as a hallmark of populism. According to a leading account, a key distinction between populist and non-populist actors lies in the former's extensive use of emotions, while liberals are seen as employing a more rational, data-driven style of communication. Consequently, liberals frequently condemn this constant emotional appeal. It will be argued that this common view is flawed, since powerful leaders usually considered as foundational figures of liberal democracies — such as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln — did elicit strong emotions from their followers, generating great enthusiasm. Defending a cognitive account of emotions, it will be submitted that what distinguishes populist rhetoric from fair passionate rhetoric is that populists exploit pre-existing emotions — even when they are biased or based on false beliefs — whereas fair rhetoric aims to arouse emotions that are morally promising and grounded in sound cognitive content.
Bionote:
Giulio Sacco is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Turin and member of Labont – Center for Ontology. Among his recent publications are: The Passionate Beliefs: A Defense of the Cognitive-Evaluative Theory of Emotions (Philosophia, 2022,); Feeling Emotions for Future People (with Tiziana Andina, Topoi, 2024); The Role of Emotions in the Capabilities Approach: A Critical Analysis (Philosophy, 2024); Recalcitrant Emotions: The Problems of Perceptual Theories (Ratio, 2024); Transgenerational Frontiers: The Capabilities Approach and The New Challenge of Justice (International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 2024); Recalcitrant Emotions and the Two ‘Dogmas of Rationalism’: Lessons from Psychology and Behavioural Economics (Theoria, 2025).
For further information please contact the Department’s Research Seminars series convenor, Prof. Jean-Paul De Lucca on [email protected]
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University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD2080 Msida, Malta, University of Malta, Msida, MSD, Malta
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