Are emotions part of our physical or spiritual makeup?
Taking Frankl’s definition of the word “spiritual” as “the human in man” the answer hinges on looking at human versus animal behavior. The question becomes: Do animals have emotions?
The answer is, yes, they do. Yet, the issue is more complex.
What is meant by Frankl’s expression “the human in man?” After all, Frankl defines meaning as “what is meant,” what is the intention behind a person’s words, and this rule applies to Frankl himself no less than to anyone else.
Implied in “human in man” is that which only applies to humans. We share certain characteristics with the animal kingdom. More importantly, human beings have characteristics that set them apart from animals, which put them into a separate class. It is this uniqueness to which Frankl refers in his use of the term “spiritual.”
In an interview Frankl said, Conscience on the animal level is the dog slinking under the couch because he’s wet the carpet. True conscience begins only where fear of punishment ends, where you have made a decision to behave morally.
There are times when a person and society is well served by having fear on the animal level, if it prevents lawlessness and anarchy. But it should be clear that this type of fear is something we have in common with animals.
On the other hand Frankl speaks of a uniquely human emotion when relating the response of prisoners on death row at San Quentin. He said about them: They learned that it was a prerogative of man to become guilty – and his responsibility to overcome his guilt. (Will to Meaning, p. 7) Guilt of the sort where a person takes responsibility and accountability for the destructive consequences of what he’s done is a uniquely human emotion.
What sets spiritual or uniquely human emotions apart from animal emotions? Animal emotions are self-centered. They are based on self-preservation. “What will happen to me? This is hurting me. This is good or bad for me…” Uniquely human (i.e. spiritual) emotions are value-based. “This is valuable. This will make a difference in someone’s life. This is something that matters…”
Although we need to honor and take care of our physical emotions just as we need to honor and take care of our other physical needs, it is useful to recognize them for what they are. Knowing that it is a physical phenomenon and not the sum total of our identity, we can feel the emotion and let it go.
On the other hand, to be human is to be a unity, not a creature of distinct independent parts. In this sense even a “physical” emotion has a spiritual component. Unlike animals, human physical emotions point to values underlying them. Thus, after feeling the emotion and letting it go we can learn from it. We can listen to hear its message. “Why was I so upset? Did a value I hold dear get stepped on or ignored? Was it lack of respect, dishonesty, justice? What is the meaning and what does this meaning demand of me?”