Although pragmatism has its values for society as a whole, emotion is necessary for the individual to find a place within society.

        These feelings have a rational basis. In nature, one could argue that each organism contributes and influences the world and every other living being in a subtle, yet profound way. However, it could also be argued that selection in nature allows the strongest, most able to survive as the least able are consumed or discarded. From the latter viewpoint, equality is futile as progress is unattainable. Nevertheless, finding a rational basis for equality is not necessarily nonexistent, but rather open to interpretation. Feelings unequivocally have a "rational" basis. The distortion lies in the fact that the rationale is influenced by emotion. In order to yield a more pragmatic view of such issues such as equality, opinion must be derived from the rationale.

        In spite of the distortion of emotion and its effects on society and on the individual, emotion is essential to the normal function of an individual. Emotions have basis, but are never truly justified. They are based on instinct, a combination of courage and fear. Emotions allow one to determine absolutes in an environment in which very little is known, specifically regarding one's purpose as a human and the significance of life in general. Although pragmatism has its values for society as a whole, emotion is necessary for the individual to find a place within society. Emotion allows for a sense of belonging and sense of self. In this way, the significance of emotion cannot be refuted.