Abstract

This chapter considers what happens to anger when people’s hopes for repair in the face of injustice are not realized. It argues that anger can evolve into the emotion of bitterness. Bitterness is a form of unresolved anger involving a loss of hope that an injustice or other moral wrong will be sufficiently acknowledged and addressed. And despite its unfortunate reputation as an inherently bad and destructive emotion, bitterness can be a prudentially rational, fitting, and morally appropriate response to injustice. Although it can lead to despair and inaction, some people who are bitter continue to be motivated to act against injustice even without hope that their efforts will be successful.