Humanity in the Civic Education: Martha C.
Nussbaum Perspectives on Emotion
Rika Febriani
{rikafebriani@fis.unp.ac.id}
Pancasila and Civic Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia
Abstract. Emotions is complex reaction pattern that influence by experiential, behavioral
and physiological elements. Emotions response by behavior or attitude differ for
everyone and that makes person as human. Emotions as the basis for humanity is
important for Pancasila and civic education in Indonesia. The humanity perspectives in
Pancasila stated in the second principle, just and civilized humanity. The
implementations of humanism in Indonesian society are not fully articulated because
rarely discussed. Some argumentations are stated that humanism is western oriented and
can be conflict with first principle, the religious principle. Though the humanism is the
universal principle and enables man to do good things in their wider social scope. The
type of emotions, such as affection and compassion are formed in a growing period of
time. The emotions do not require formal education but needs to be developed in the long
term. Developing emotions must be seen as an entry point to makes good human
development. This role can be done in the family and especially woman play an
important role to cultivate it. Woman’s role should be supported also by institutional
design, especially in education’s sector. But the problem is that social construction makes
women unnecessary to fully implement their role in society. The patriarchal perspective
is still dominated in Indonesian society. This article will be discussed how emotions as
basis for humanity can support civic education and importance without having to collide
with the principles of the state such as respect for pluralism and individual autonomy.
This is a theoretical study using Martha C. Nussbaum theory on Emotions. Her works on
“Upheavals of Thought” and "Hiding from Humanity” are using a framework to
understand the problem of civic education. The conclusion of this article will specifically
address the importance of humanity in civic education in Indonesia.
Keywords: women; emotions; civic education; family; humanity
1 Introduction
Pancasila as an ideological system of Indonesia contains humanity, stated on second
principle: just and civilized humanity. These human values must be seen as a whole unitary
concept which means at the same time, humanity also contain the values of the belief of One
and only God, unity, democracy, and social justice. This is what distinguishes the concept of
humanity used in Pancasila compared to the humanity in the Western perspective. Human
philosophy, as part of a philosophical system presupposes a metaphysical anthropology that
specifically highlights the essence and existence of humans (Purwosaputro, 2015). The subject
in each of the basic principle of Pancasila is a monopluralist human (Notonagoro, 1975). It
ICGCS 2021, August 30-31, Padang, Indonesia
Copyright © 2022 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.30-8-2021.2316415