Truthfulness: Biographers should strive to present an accurate and truthful account of the subject's life, and this includes their feelings. Including personal feelings should be supported by evidence and research. Opinions and speculations without a basis can undermine the credibility of the biography.
Balance: It's important to maintain a balance between factual information and personal reflections. While it's valuable to include the subject's feelings and experiences, the focus of the biography should still be on the subject's life and achievements.
Context: Personal feelings should be presented within the context of the subject's life and times. Understanding the historical, social, and cultural background can provide readers with a deeper understanding of why the subject felt the way they did.
Objectivity: Biographers should strive to be as objective as possible, even when discussing the subject's personal feelings. This doesn't mean avoiding emotions entirely, but it does mean presenting them in a way that doesn't bias the biography or promote a particular agenda.
Ethical Considerations: Biographers should consider the ethical implications of including personal feelings. Sensitive or private information should be handled with care and respect for the subject's privacy and the feelings of those affected.
Respect for the Subject: It's important to respect the subject's wishes regarding their personal feelings. If they expressed a desire for privacy or have specifically requested that certain information not be shared, then the biographer should respect those wishes.
Empathy: Biographers can use empathy to connect with the subject's feelings without projecting their own emotions onto them. This allows readers to gain insight into the subject's inner world without feeling manipulated.
Transparency: Biographers should be transparent about their inclusion of personal feelings and provide readers with an understanding of how they arrived at their interpretations and conclusions.
Overall, while personal feelings can be a powerful tool in crafting a rich and engaging biography, it's important to use them responsibly, ethically, and with respect for the subject of the biography.