Anger and Moral Struggle in Response to Structural Injustice

This paper explores the relationship between anger and flourishing in light of structural injustice. Even when anger is an appropriate response to structural injustice, it can carry significant personal cost. In non-ideal circumstances, anger may be morally required even though it detracts from personal flourishing. Drawing on Lisa Tessman’s work, I argue that anger at structural injustice, even if we are not among those against whom the injustice is directed, can be a burdened virtue. I extend Tessman’s analysis to show how burdened virtues can arise in response to particularly structural injustices, and explicitly note additional burdens that can arise in such instances.