Analyzing The Arrangement Of Martha C Nussbaum’s “Beyond Anger”
Martha C Nussbaum’s article “Beyond Anger” discusses the causes, weaknesses and management of anger. The article appeared in Aeon (2018) in 2016, an independent digital magazine which publishes inspiring and thoughtful articles on a variety of topics. The article targets post-secondary student, researchers, “people”, (2018, p.407), all of whom feel anger in everyday life and are interested in a better understanding. Nussbaum is able to convince her readers with a convincing thesis. She also captures their attention through a persuasive discussion and logical argument.
Nussbaum presents her argument about anger’s downside at the very start of the article. In the middle part, she uses examples between paragraphs 2 and 7 to support the thesis that anger is irrational. 407-409). Nussbaum uses a convincing discussion to convince readers that anger won’t help them achieve future success. She gives the example of Nelson Mandela in real life. She states both sides of her argument in one paragraph, and then refutes it in the next. This provides a transition and a connection for the reader to better understand and recognize her point. Nussbaum starts the article by describing anger as “poisonous”, “destructive”, and “self-defeating” emotion. She states that anger is an emotion we experience daily as a reaction to insults or inequality. Readers are immediately drawn to her article because she makes them relate these feelings to themselves. The middle section uses opinions from Aristotle, and other “western philosophy” (p.407) to establish the credibility of her information. Nussbaum argues in the next paragraph that the payback concept is irrational, and “doesn’t make any sense” because it doesn’t help people get over the pain they have suffered.
She gives an example (p. 408) in the fourth paragraph to show how payback will not help a victim of a violent crime get out from their horrible situation. Payback will not enable them to regain everything that they lost, or to stop future rapes. Her example illustrates that a person’s future and rebuilding their life is more important than wishing for retribution. Nussbaum then explains “three negative paths” an angry individual may take and how they can affect their future. She supports her argument that anger will not improve a victim’s situation.
Nelson Mandela’s story is used in the rest to prove the importance for a person to abandon the concept of paying it back. This also supports her theory that “looking forward” (p.410) is important. Fromparagraph 9 to 14 (pp. From paragraph nine to fourteen (pp. 409-412). Nelson Mandela’s example is not only a powerful argument for her, but it will also help readers focus on the present rather than the past (p.410). The author concludes that Mandela’s example has positive “implications on many aspects of life” and not just politics (p.412).
Nussbaum effectively captures the attention of her intended audience with a persuasive argument. She draws attention to her argument by clearly and fully stating the opposing views and presenting them. The article uses a transition to help readers move from an idea to its opposite, and to better understand the author’s claim. Nussbaum provides convincing examples to prove that anger is not rational when we experience injustice and wrongs. The popularity of anger is what draws her audience’s attention. She also provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the negative aspects of anger.
